Friends when in need...

Photo: Peter O’Neill

GIFT aid . . . Joan Tomlinson, Chairman of the League of Friends (front), presented a cheque to Sister Emma Connolly from C1 ward, with fellow “friends” and Hulme Girls Choir. Photograph taken by volunteer Peter O’Neill

League’s gifts for hospital patients

PATIENTS forced to spend Christmas Day in the Royal Oldham Hospital can look forward to some special gifts tomorrow.

For stalwart fundraisers from the hospital’s League of Friends handed over a total of £700 to buy presents for patients on seven wards.

Patients on Cedars and Rowan wards, and A2, C1, C2 and G1 can look forward to opening their gifts tomorrow, while those on F4 will also get a Christmas tree and decorations.

Hulme Girls School choir helped everyone get in the spirit when they made a tour of the wards singing carols.

Christine Mylott, patient welfare/voluntary services manager at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which runs The Royal Oldham Hospital, said: “The choir supports us every year and provides much joy and light relief for our patients at this time of the year, while the presents funded by the league of friends will be most welcome on Christmas day.”

Thanking both parties for their efforts, Trust chairman John Jesky added: “It can be difficult for patients who are in hospital over Christmas and the gifts which this kind donation will buy will make it a little easier.”

Carol singers will also be out and about in the hospital today and Christine commended their spirit on one of the busiest days of the year for many.

She said: “We have lots of volunteers in the run up to Christmas, but often struggle for carol singers on Christmas Eve.

“However, it is no more than a couple of hours and it makes such a difference to the patients who are unfortunate enough to be in hospital over Christmas.”

Anyone who can spare a few hours to volunteer over the festive period or any other time should contact Christine on 0161-627 8561.