ST Helens and Whiston hospitals are appealing to members of the community to spread some Christmas cheer to patients and staff this year.

After a wonderful response from schools and families in previous years Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is once again appealing for donations such as Christmas cards, drawings, and designs to bring some festive cheer to those who find themselves in hospitals over the festive period.

Hospital 'elves' in the Trust’s Patient Experience team want to give patients – and staff - an extra special Christmas surprise this year and are asking talented people in the community to send in their artistic and cheery festive messages, so they can be shared with patients who will be unable to return home over the holiday period.

Francine Daly, Patient Experience Manager at the Trust, said: “We were thrilled with the overwhelming response to our appeal last year and are hoping that members of the local community from people young and old and places such as schools, groups and care homes will send their well wishes and artwork to brighten everyone’s spirits this Christmas.

“We are always so grateful when people take the time to share their creativity, and it helps us spread a little Christmas cheer to patients in our care and to our staff on Christmas Day. The patients really are grateful that someone is thinking of them.’’

If you would like to help send a positive message this Christmas, post your letters, cards and drawings to the Patient Experience Team, Nightingale House, Whiston Hospital, Warrington Road, Prescot, L35 5DR, or email patientexperienceteam@sthk.nhs.uk before Friday, December 20.