HOSPITALS across St Helens are appealing for festive donations to bring some well-needed Christmas cheer for 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 Christmas cards, drawings, and designs to bring some festive cheer to those in our hospitals this December.

Hospital 'elves' in the Patient Experience Team want to give patients and staff an extra special Christmas surprise this year and are asking talented youngsters in the community to send in their artistic and cheery Christmas messages, so they can be shared with patients and staff who will be unable to return home over the Christmas 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 local children will once again send their well wishes and artwork to brighten everyone’s spirits this Christmas.

“We’re always so grateful when young 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.’’

If you know someone who would like to help the Trust this Christmas, post your messages and drawings to the Patient Experience Team, PALS Office, Level 1, Whiston Hospital, Warrington Road, Prescot, L35 5DR or email patientexperienceteam@sthk.nhs.uk before Tuesday, December 19.