The National ‘Elf Service Day 2024
Thank you to everyone who participated in The National ‘Elf Service Day in 2023!
Your enthusiasm and support helped spread festive cheer throughout NHS Lothian hospitals and communities, making a difference in patients’ lives during the holiday season.
Gear up for the 2024 festivities by registering your interest below. Get ready to embrace your inner ‘elf, don your most festive attire, and join us in making a difference during the holiday season. Stay tuned for updates!
Your involvement helps create moments of happiness, from ward decorations and surprise gifts to heartwarming Christmas celebrations. Thank you for helping us bring some elf magic to NHS Lothian patients, visitors and staff.
The National ‘Elf Service Day was a brilliant opportunity to bring some joy and fun into our department while we raised money for the Charity.”
Register your interest for The National ‘Elf Service Day 2024
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We have a party on Christmas Day, that anyone in the family can come to – so they can spend some precious time together, and not be apart from each other for the whole of Christmas. And we get some small gifts, some for the mums – to make them feel special – and some for the babies – so the mums have something to give their little one on their first Christmas and don’t have the pressure of having to find something themselves.
Tricia Breslin, St John’s Mental Health Mother and Baby Unit in Livingston“Something as simple of as a face pack, or a nice hand cream can put a smile on a mum’s face at a time when she really needs it.”
You can help nurses like Tricia bring joy to patients at difficult times.
How do I pay in my fundraising donations?
- Add any offline donations you have received to your JustGiving fundraising page. The donations from JustGiving will come to us automatically.
- Donate using our online donation form and in the free text box tell us this is from your National ‘Elf Service Day.
- Donate by Bank Transfer (BACS). If you have carried out a collection, fundraising event or want to give your gift by bank transfer, please contact us. We’ll provide you with our bank details and any other information you need.
Find out how generous donations from our supporters have helped to make Christmas special for patients and families:
“I spent two weeks in hospital that December in the lead-up to Christmas. Christmas eve arrived, and I was expecting it to be like any other day on the ward, but the doctors and nurses made it special and brought the Christmas experience to us. The staff dressed up, sang Christmas carols, and we all had mince pies. It really lifted my spirits when I was missing my tiny baby boy and family at home.
“I still remember waking up on Christmas day and being surprised to find a small present left at my bedside by the staff, some lovely toiletries. It was a small thing, but it had a big impact. A small act of kindness can help someone feel remembered.”
Every year, volunteers from our FACE cancer fund take children who have been impacted by cancer to Lapland, giving them a magical day where they meet the ‘real’ Santa.
“The gift of our trip to Lapland with John and the volunteers at FACE was once in a lifetime, especially after my two little boys lost their dad after a very long illness just a few months ago. The concept of bringing bereaved children to go meet Santa and spend a magical day in the Arctic was just beautiful, and very moving.”
“I don’t remember much about the admission because I was too unwell, but I still remember waking up on Christmas day and being surprised to find a small present left at my bedside by the staff.
“I expected Christmas Day to be like any other day on the ward, but the staff made it a break from the normal routine. There was a special Christmas breakfast and a festive buffet in the evening. I remember enjoying the chocolate cake, and it was the first time I’d been able to enjoy food like that for weeks. The staff dressed up and made a real effort to make it festive for us, and we all felt like family for the day.”
