Supporters and staff at Addenbrooke’s are conjuring up a host of magical surprises for children in hospital this Christmas.
During the festive period patients will enjoy everything from a snap visit from a favourite superhero to tasty treats, a magician, and fun with one of Santa’s little helpers.
The fun began on Wednesday (11 Dec) when Spiderman sprang into action on the children’s cancer ward before swinging over to the Paediatric Emergency Department to spread some more Christmas cheer.
Helping out were the hospital’s dedicated play specialists and nursery nurses who are on a mission to make it a happy Christmas.
Local magician Wayne Goodman will arrive On Monday (16 December), while the fun continues on Wednesday (18 December) with a visit from Cambridge Regional College head of culinary arts, Graham Taylor, and his colleague Julian Peck,.
Graham’s students have made more than 100 gingerbread figures for the children to decorate with various tasty goodies. In previous years patients have tucked into everything from pancakes to smoothies.
On Thursday (19 December) play specialist Sophie Barber will welcome representatives from The Jockey Club Newmarket to the Paediatric Emergency Department, where they will deliver a bumper supply of presents.
The gifts will be among thousands donated by individuals, clubs, schools and businesses this Christmas, some of which will be saved for children’s birthdays or as “bravery gifts”.
On Monday 23 December Katie the Elf will take a break from her usual North Pole duties to drop in on young patients to spread kindness, fun and tales of elf-like mischief.
Sophie said:
Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for our team and we are hugely grateful for all the support we get from the community. Their generosity never ceases to amaze us!
It makes a huge difference to the young patients we support, especially when they are feeling unwell and a bit low about spending the festive period on a hospital ward.
Play specialist Sophie Barber
The fun comes as CUH and its partners push ahead with plans Cambridge Children’s Hospital (opens in a new tab), - the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England.