Secret Santa Appeal
Be their Secret Santa and give the gift of joy to patients in hospital this Christmas.
Christmas is approaching, a time for family and friends, so we’re asking our supporters to help us by bringing some joy to patients who need to stay in hospital over Christmas.
A donation from you today will make hospital feel more like home for those spending Christmas away from their family and friends.
A donation from you today will make hospital feel more like home for those spending Christmas away from their family and friends.
Find out how your donations are bringing joy and comfort to patients across NHS Lothian
Claire’s story
Hear from Claire, Clinical Nurse Manager in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh about how she and her team go that extra mile to ensure families make lasting memories to cherish for those spending Christmas in hospital.
Mary’s story
I found myself in hospital over Christmas after breaking my ankle. I didn’t want to be in hospital at Christmas, I wanted to be at home but the staff went above and beyond, decorating the ward, organising crafts, and even a Santa visit. I also received thoughtful gifts and enjoyed a festive dinner. My son was able to bring in some cards from home that I could display too. Despite the circumstances, the warmth and care from the staff made Christmas special.
Michele’s story
I work as a Ward Clerk in the Medical Assessment Unit at the Western General Hospital. We care for patients with urgent medical conditions, often during a stressful time. To brighten their stay, especially over Christmas, we decorate the ward, give out gifts, and provide festive treats. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference, bringing joy to our patients and our hardworking staff.
Flora’s story
I’m a Senior Charge Nurse at Edenview Ward. We care for elderly patients who need rehabilitation. During Christmas, we go the extra mile to make their stay as comfortable as possible. We decorate the ward, organise festive activities, and even have a Santa visit! We want to make their Christmas special, whether it’s by providing thoughtful gifts, a festive meal, or simply spending quality time with their loved ones. It’s rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and know we’ve made a difference.
Lynne and Lynsay’s story
We work Liberton Hospital, caring for elderly patients who need rehabilitation. During Christmas, we go the extra mile to make their stay as comfortable as possible. We decorate the ward, organize festive activities, and even have a Santa visit! We want to make their Christmas special, whether it’s by providing thoughtful gifts, a festive meal, or simply spending quality time with their loved ones. It’s rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and know we’ve made a difference.
Leza’s story
My name is Leza, I’m a Senior Charge Nurse who has spent 20 Christmases working in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People throughout my 40-year career with NHS Lothian. The colder weather often means children are more susceptible to viruses, and for our children who have life-limiting and complex health conditions, they need our help to be able to fight it. Unfortunately for these children, they spend most of their short lives with us in hospital. Everything still goes on as usual; it doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas.
Vhari’s story
My name is Vhari, a Senior Charge Midwife, manages the Special Care Babies Unit at St John’s Hospital in Livingston. “We care for newborn babies who are premature or unwell. Many require to be nursed in an incubator or need help to breathe due to problems with their respiratory development. As Christmas approaches, many babies are still too small or unwell to go home with their families. The ward staff put a lot of effort into making the ward less like hospital for the season, creating a festive atmosphere and bringing some joy to parents during a stressful time for them.
Kirsty’s story
My name is Kirsty, I’m a Senior Charge Midwife that manages the Labour wards at St John’s Hospital in Livingston. As Christmas day approaches, the excitement of who will support the birth of the first NHS Lothian Christmas baby starts to build up. There is healthy competition between the Labour wards at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and St John’s as to who will win, and on Christmas Eve, phone calls are exchanged to see who is in the running. Throughout my long career in the NHS, I’ve worked every other Christmas in a Labour ward, and the first Christmas baby competition is something we all enjoy taking part in. It makes the new parents’ time with us extra special too.
Lorraine and Therese’s story
We are Lorraine, an NHS Lothian Ward Clerk, and Therese, a Charge Nurse, work in the Vascular Surgery ward at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. When Christmas is approaching, many patients are too unwell to go home to family or friends. The ward staff put a lot of effort into making the ward less like hospital for the season, bringing festive joy, and creating a brighter Christmas for everyone.
Gillian’s story
My name is Gillian, I’m a Senior Charge Nurse that works in the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Winter can be a busy time for the unit. So, when Christmas day comes, we do our best to make it as joyful. On Christmas morning, the ward staff wrap the nice toiletries we buy each patient in festive paper, then place it by their bedside. Many of our patients are unconscious and just too unwell to realise it is Christmas day, so the gift we give them is often more for the benefit of their family, to let them know we care.
Rachael’s story
My name is Rachael, I’m a Clinical Support Worker at the Research Department at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. As soon as a family walks into our reception area, they see a giant Christmas tree covered in glitter and handmade baubles, and paper chains lining the corridors. I could see that everyone felt instantly more relaxed as soon as they walked through the door. It’s nice to be able to give the patients something back. One of the best things about NHS Lothian Charity is that we are given the freedom to choose the presents for the children. That means we can select the presents ourselves so we can make them more personal.
Ros and baby Scott’s story
My name is Ros, and I am an ex-patient of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. I was 31 weeks pregnant and had been diagnosed with a fibroid tumour when I went into early labour with my first child, Scott. All these years later I still feel guilty, as I didn’t recognise the signs of labour and held off being checked out, as in the run-up to Christmas, I had many things to attend to. I wasn’t due for another nine weeks, so it seemed impossible to me that my pain was early labour related.
Jenny’s story
While I was studying for my degree in medicine a few years ago, things began to fall apart for me. I just about made it through my exams, then during the Christmas break, I found myself being admitted as a patient at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. 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.
