Operation Christmas Elf brings festive cheer to Hemel hospital patients

By joining the elves and wrapping West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust (WHHT) chief executive and chair donated Christmas gifts to bring some seasonal cheer to the wards in Hemel, Watford and St Albans.

This year, hundreds of gifts were donated by residents, staff and patients at the hospitals, and Hertfordshire businesses large and small.

Volunteers were asked to help with Operation Christmas Elf which involved wrapping enough gifts that every single patient, young and old, will receive a gift on Christmas Day.

WHHT chief executive Christine Allen and chairman Phil Townsend were amongst staff that offered to take part in the mammoth task.

David Head from patient supporter Raise, who has been coordinating the Raise a Smile appeal, said: “It’s good to see the Trust’s top people diving in and helping out.

"The appeal has been very successful in terms of the number of gifts donated but of course it means a lot of work sorting, wrapping, and distributing them. I’m looking forward to seeing patients’ faces on the big day.”

“Four days of wrapping time was been set aside for the work and we’ve created quite a grotto full of presents”, David added.

“it’s amazing to see such generosity and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every individual and every company that has helped.”