Dig out your stripy stockings, cute hats and pointy ears – the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity is encouraging fundraisers to unleash their inner elf this Christmas!
The NHS charity’s National Elf Service Week will run from 11th to 17th December and will include the charity’s Christmas Jumper Day on 14th December – a whole day dedicated to super sweaters!
Festive fundraisers can play a huge role in supporting the charity’s Tiny Toes appeal, which aims to raise £150,000 to support the redevelopment of the neonatal unit at Rotherham Hospital.
Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising, said: “Hot on the back of our Tiny Toes appeal launch in summer, we hope schools, businesses, community groups and individuals will feel inspired to unleash their inner elf!
“Whether it’s a Christmas Jumper Day, a quiz, raffle, Secret Santa, a sponsored reindeer run or something entirely unique – we can’t wait to hear your s-elfless and creative ideas.”
Rotherham Hospital’s existing neonatal unit and its caring and compassionate staff are highly praised by families, but the facilities require upgrading to ensure their excellent standard of care can continue for future generations.
As the facilities are constantly used by parents, they are now worn and outdated. The unit was designed in the late 1970s. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust will completely refurbish the unit, with the charity fundraising to make it extra special. The heating, lighting and accessibility need updating and the old-fashioned ‘viewing corridor’ removed to create additional space.
The appeal will fund the overhaul of the family rooms, including repainting and soft furnishings, new furniture, modern showers and kitchen facilities.
It will fund recliner chairs so parents can sleep beside their baby’s cot, a ‘wobble room’ for parents and staff, resources for siblings and keepsakes for parents.
Rachael added: “Parents tell us that having a premature baby is an emotional and stressful time. They excitedly plan and hope for the birth of their healthy baby but unfortunately, it is not always the case. We want to provide a home from home for families when they need it the most.”
Fundraisers can support the Tiny Toes appeal by taking part in the charity’s Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at Dunelm on Tuesday 21st November and the Rotherham Polar Plunge at Manvers Lake on Saturday 25th November.
The charity is also hosting a Christmas Fair in the main entrance at Rotherham Hospital on Tuesday 28th November, from 10.30am to 2.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Those wishing to support adult patients at Rotherham Hospital this year can also get involved in Dunelm Rotherham’s Delivering Joy campaign, which encourages people to donate an extra gift up to the value of £10.00. All the gifts donated will be distributed to patients who otherwise would go without at Christmas. More information can be found in store.
Donations during Elf Service Week can be made via Just Giving, www.justgiving.com/campaign/rotherhamelfserviceweek.
For more information, get in touch with the charity on 01709 426821 or trft.rhcc@nhs.net.