Airedale Hospital and Community Charity went above and beyond to bring festive cheer to patients, visitors and staff members across Airedale NHS Foundation Trust in 2025.
The season kicked off with the charity’s annual gift appeal. This year, the charity made an early appeal to the local community for plenty of gifts suitable for adults as well as children.
Thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses including Buntons plant hire, the Commercial Pub in Keighley, Curtins, the Dunelm Keighley store, Ethoss Regeneration, Fives of Crosshills, Jo Overend, Keighley Cougars, Keighley Lions, Kingdom Wrestling, Hot Tag Foundation, Laura Simpson, Lee Loynes, Lilian Paterson, Morrisons Skipton, Platinum Stairlifts, Robertson Construction, Scoff Café, Shelby projects, Skipton Rotary, Spooner and the Fairy Gift Mother every patient had a gift to open on Christmas Day. The charity team packed and distributed the gifts to the wards of Airedale General Hospital, Castleberg Community Hospital, Children’s Outpatients, the Child Development Centre and the Emergency Department ahead of the big day. They were also able to provide board games for ward day rooms to ensure patients have entertainment over the festive period.
Laura Turner, Communications and Charity Assistant said:
“This year, the support has been bigger and better than ever. We’re feeling very grateful to the people from our communities that have supported our gift appeal. We’re so pleased that once again we’ve been able to provide a gift for everyone this year as well as additions to the day rooms. We hope that this has really made a difference to our patients on Christmas Day morning knowing that someone has thought of them.”
Next up on the Christmas calendar, a design competition was held to find Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s official Christmas card of 2025. This year’s winner was 4-year-old Chester Bucatariu whose design was chosen by Trust Chief Executive, ‘Foluke Ajayi and Executive Director of People and Organisational Development, Jo Harrison and will feature as the Trust’s 2025 Christmas card to be shared in the run up to Christmas.
‘Foluke said
“I want to thank all the children who entered this year’s competition. It’s always difficult to choose one winner, especially amongst all of the fantastic entries that we had. Congratulations to Chester, the design was very eye-catching and fun.”
Local businesses brought a unique shopping experience to the restaurant of Airedale General Hospital for a one-day shopping event on Tuesday 2 December. In attendance were beauty and fashion experts, The Beauty Nest and Temple Spa by Ang; seasonal pop ups All things Festive, Pour Away and Crochet, Jill’s Christmas Shop, Coco Home Yorkshire and From Nanny with Love; and taking care of our sweet tooth was Berrey’s Bakery and Cobbydale Biscuits.
On the 12 December all across Airedale, the run of the mill grey socks were replaced with bright festively patterned socks as colleagues came together to celebrate Festive Sock Day.
The day has become a staple in the charity’s festive calendar to allow colleagues from all work areas to join in the festive wear fun. In 2025, the funds raised from this annual event went towards the charity’s ongoing Emergency Department Appeal which now stands at a total of £129.071.
Throughout December, the hallways of Airedale General Hospital were filled with the sound of music from local choirs to bring joy to patients, visitors and staff members alike.
Students from Beckfoot Nessfield Primary School, Haworth Primary School, Steeton Primary School, Kildwick Primary School, Glusburn Primary School and St Stephen’s Primary School attended the hospital on various dates singing classic carols for their audiences. Brass band, ‘The Airedale Allstars’ also provided a special service in Airedale’s Chapel on Wednesday 17 December.
Carla Weatherall, Charity Fundraiser said:
“I’d like to extend my thanks on behalf of Airedale Hospital and Community Charity for the generosity and kindness shown to our patients, visitors, and colleagues.
“Being able to witness the festive events be a storming success has marked a fantastic, positive end to 2025 and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support we have received.
“We hope that you have aal had a fantastic start to the year, we’re looking forward to our best year yet in 2026!”
To find out more about Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, including how they provide support to patients, visitors and staff members at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, visit the charity website at www.airedalecharity.org.
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