Local stars visit the Nottingham Children's Hospital

The Nottingham Children’s Hospital has once again welcomed local sporting teams and theatrical groups as they visit children and young people on the wards and departments this Christmas.

We would like to thank everyone who has visited the Nottingham Children’s Hospital over the festive period.

Virtual Santa

With the help of a webcam direct from the North Pole, children were treated to a special audience with Santa himself. The ultimate ‘silver surfer’ beamed direct into the Youth Room grotto to speak with children about what they want for Christmas.

       

Notts County Cricket Club

Children and young people on the wards were treated to gifts and chocolates, thanks to players from Notts County Cricket Club. Captain Chris Read visited the children’s wards with fast bowler Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney, even joining in with a festive sing-song at one point. 

Chris Read said: “It’s a humbling experience but one that you can gain great pleasure from by seeing the smiles on the kids faces at a time of great difficulty. The children and all of the medical and support staff that we met were very welcoming and we hope that our gifts give them some comfort.”  

       

Nottingham Playhouse

Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother ensured that children and their families received some pantomime magic this Christmas. The stars of Cinderella, Danielle Corlass and Nicole Webb, visited outpatient clinics at the hospital.

Nicole said: "It was great for us to visit the Nottingham Children's Hospital. I hope we were able to bring the children and young people some festive cheer in what is no doubt a difficult time."

       

Notts County Football Club

Santa got a little extra help to deliver presents to the Nottingham Children’s Hospital when Notts County FC visited. Manager Martin Allen led his squad around the wards and clinics handing out an array of gifts and treats.  

Claire Hardy, Play Specialist at the Nottingham Children's Hospital, said: “Christmas is a busy time of year and we are especially grateful to Notts County for taking time out to come and visit us. We appreciate the efforts they and their fans have gone to in raising money to buy presents for children in hospital over the festive period." 

       

Nottingham Rugby Club

Nottingham Rugby players Craig Hammond, Michael Holford and Nic Rouse visited the Nottingham Children’s Hospital to deliver Christmas presents, donated by the Rutland Square Hotel. The three burly forwards, in association with When You Wish Upon A Star, took time out from their hectic Christmas schedule to show their support to patients and staff at the hospital.

Captain Craig Hammond said, “This is a great thing to be able to do. It’s really sad to know that most of these children will have to spend Christmas in hospital, so to be able to bring a smile to their face with a gift is good to see.”

        

Starlight Pantomime

Youngsters at the Nottingham Children’s Hospital were treated to a special performance of Aladdin, thanks to the Starlight pantomime. Children and their parents were introduced to regular characters, Wishee Washee, Widow Twankey, Princess Jasmine and of course the main man himself...Aladdin.

Claire Hardy, Play Specialist at the NCH, said: “The panto gives the children on the ward something to look forward to, they get to shout and take part as it’s very interactive.”

      

Nottingham Theatre Royal and Arnold Fire Station

Stars from Sleeping Beauty at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal joined firefighters from Arnold Fire Station to bring a little extra sparkle to the Nottingham Children’s Hospital. Joe Pasquale (Muddles) and Lucy Evans (Princess Beauty) joined firefighters from Arnold Fire Station’s Red Watch to hand out cuddly toys and gifts, donated by customers at Matalan.

Joe said: “It is great to meet the kids. It is such a humbling experience and I feel very lucky to have met them.”

      

Nottingham Forest Football Club

Players from Nottingham Forest have delivered some early Christmas cheer to youngsters at the Nottingham Children’s Hospital. Players delivered signed calendars, chocolate and cuddly toys to patients during their festive visit.

Captain Luke Chambers was pleased to see so many smiles on the children’s faces. He said: "These children and their parents are the real heroes, to be in hospital over Christmas must be difficult however with the help from the fantastic nurses and staff at the hospital they are able to enjoy the holidays.

"As a group we always look forward to the hospital visit, and even if we make just one child smile we know it has been a worthwhile visit."

      

GMB Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey Team

Players from the GMB Nottingham Panthers took time out from the ice to visit youngsters and staff at the Nottingham Children’s Hospital. They visited inpatient wards where they gave out presents and cuddly toys.

The Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of Nottingham

The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Michael Wildgust, and the Sheriff of Nottingham, Leon Unczur, visited patients and staff at the Nottingham Children's Hospital to wish them a merry Christmas and hand out gifts. The pair also got into the Christmas spirit by taking part in a short pantomime, put on by the on-site school. The Mayor played the part of Pigswill and the Sheriff starred as the Prince in Snow White and the Seven Gnomes.

Angela Horsley, Clinical Lead for the NCH said: “We are very grateful to the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff for visiting us today. I for one thought their pantomime performances were top notch – maybe an acting career beckons for them both.”