The annual Raise a Smile appeal distributed 776 Christmas presents to patients in St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and Watford hospitals.
Local businesses and individuals contributed gifts to patients who were in hospital on Christmas Day.
In 2019 nearly 800 presents were distributed by Santa and his team of volunteer elves who made sure that every patient in every ward received a gift.
In addition, Santa toured Watford General Hospital on Christmas Eve giving gifts to children and staff in the Accident & Emergency department, plus there are plenty of toys left over, many of which will be used as birthday presents on the children’s wards over the course of this year.
Santa said “Ho ho ho, I just loved helping out in West Hertfordshire on Christmas Eve morning. I’m only sorry I couldn’t stay longer, but I had a busy schedule that night and the pressure was on.
“I do love what Raise is doing to spread a little Christmas cheer at this time of year, and I hope everyone has a very happy 2020 as well.”
David Head, the Raise a Smile appeal organiser, added “We are so grateful for Mr Clause’s help, it really made a difference.
“Even more importantly though, we had support from so many local businesses and members of the public that we easily smashed our target of 1,000 presents”
Raise a Smile will be back in December 2020.
Raise is dedicated to supporting patient care at Watford General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital.
More information about the charity is at raisewestherts.org.uk
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