The children’s outpatient department at Airedale General Hospital has had a Christmas toy bonus.
The bonus is thanks to the Friends of Airedale (FoA) playing Santa.
The clinic often keeps their waiting children entertained with a range of toys but recently suffered a loss of toys.
Friends of Airedale, heard about the depleted toys and decided to send Father Christmas.
Chairman of FoA, Alison Dixon,
“We were horrified to hear that toys were simply disappearing from the department.
“We first learned about it when senior healthcare worker Sahdya Mushtaq wrote to us asking if we could help with their wish list after quite a lot of the toys had apparently gone missing.
“It was a very modest list of educational toys, sensory aids and a few bits for its much-praised garden area.
“When the trustees heard about their plight, they not only agreed to fund the request but more than doubled the amount that had been asked for.”
Friends of Airedale are a volunteer group that dedicate their time to supporting Airedale General Hospital by undertaking a number of roles within the hospital and in the community.
Alison added:
“It’s always gratifying to be able to award funds to help different departments fund equipment that enhances the patient/visitor experience at Airedale and which is not available to them via the NHS.
“This was a particularly deserving cause which we were delighted to help with.”
Friends of Airedale raises money to buy equipment to benefit patients and – in the past – has donated between £150,000 to £200,000 worth of equipment and services to the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust each year.

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