My WiSH Charity, which supports the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, have called for donations this Christmas so that every patient can receive a gift on Christmas Day.

Tanya Fifield, who is the running the appeal this year, said: “We started our Virtual Christmas Present Appeal in 2020 as Covid meant we couldn’t receive physical gifts, but it’s proved so successful that we have continued to run it.”

The aim is that the community can donate a gift via the charity’s website.

The charity then works with each ward to ensure every patient receives a gift to unwrap.

Past gifts have included tartan blankets, toys, Christmas ornaments and, of course, fragrances.

Tanya continued: “Each patient is allocated £5 which means we need to raise over £3,000. This will ensure that patients in the West Suffolk Hospital, Newmarket Community Hospital, Glastonbury Court and community beds, will all have a gift.

“Our older patients often don’t have any visitors on the big day so to give them a present to show that My WISH and the community are thinking about them is so special.”

Sue Smith, head of fundraising for the charity, added: “We receive lots of toys at Christmas time, which is just amazing, but we love to ensure that all patients, no matter their age, get to experience a little festive magic.

“No one wants to be in hospital over Christmas and the ward staff go above and beyond to make it special and these gifts really are the icing on the cake. As a charity we are all about enhancing care and this is exactly what this appeal aims to do.”

Tanya added: “Donations to the appeal start at just £2, less than the price of a coffee. It could be you buy a gift in lieu of Christmas cards. Just imagine the difference you could make by donating. Each gift shows on our appeal page and you can personalise a message. We really hope that, once again, the community gets behind us and helps make this possible.”

To donate a gift to My WISH Charity go www.mywishcharity.co.uk/event/christmas.