Paramedics deliver Christmas presents to poorly kids at Croydon Hospital
On Monday, paramedic and “chief elf” Nigel Flanagan arrived at Croydon University Hospital with an ambulance full of gifts for children spending the festive season in hospital.
The London Ambulance Service team was warmly welcomed by children, parents, and nurses on the Rainbow Unit.
Four-year-old Maddison was thrilled to receive a medical play set, and her mum, Rebecca, said: “She was over the moon and really surprised.
“This has been perfect for her.
“She has been in hospital to have her tonsils removed and has been very nervous.
“This really has helped to preoccupy her mind.”
Sophie, a paediatric staff nurse on the Rainbow Unit, added: “It has been amazing.
“Seeing them when they’re in the worst moments of their lives getting a present and seeing their face light up makes the job so worth it.
“Part of our job caring for children is making their stay at hospital as nice and special as possible – whether that’s presents, Santa coming round and singing songs.
“Whatever people can do to help makes a difference to these children.”
All the gifts were donated to ambulance stations across London and delivered by paramedics to children at hospitals, hospices, and refuges throughout the capital in the lead-up to Christmas Day.
London Ambulance Service paramedic and chief elf Nigel Flanagan, from Lingfield in Surrey, said: “Sixteen years ago, I treated a young boy on Christmas Eve who was heartbroken that he couldn’t spend Christmas Day with his family.
“As a father-of-three, this really affected me.
“I decided to set up Operation Christmas Present to help tackle loneliness amongst children who are in hospital during the festive season.
“Every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas despite being away from their family on Christmas Day.
“We just want to see children and families smile at this time of year and that’s why we do this.
“It touches quite a few strings in my heart.”
Nigel and his team of elves across the London Ambulance Service have ensured that presents are delivered to hospitals, hospices, and refuges so that children can still experience the joy of receiving a gift at Christmas.
Operation Christmas Present started at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell and now covers more than 40 hospitals across London.
Nigel and his team have delivered more than 30,000 presents so far and made 600 visits to hospitals, children’s A&E departments, and women and children’s refuges.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Nigel and his colleagues couldn’t bring presents to people in hospitals, they collected food supplies and delivered them to more than 80 foodbanks across the capital, helping people whose livelihoods had been hit hard by the lockdowns.