Gifts bring cheer for unwell children at Princess Alexandra Hospital

Santa and many other well-wishers brought welcome cheer to unwell children who were inpatients at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow over the Christmas period.

Staff and friends from Stansted Airport brought teddies for newborns in the neonatal unit whilst players from Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and staff from The Toby Carvery in Harlow brought gifts for children on the hospital’s children’s inpatient ward (Dolphin).

More than 50 children, aged from as young as 6 days to 16 years, were cared for on the ward over the Christmas period and more than 400 children attended the hospital’s paediatric A&E.

Assistant manager Levi Gleed from The Toby Carvery in Harlow said they were delighted to be supporting the local hospital, celebrating the wonderful care it provides, and bringing comfort and joy to children at this special time of the year.

Fiona Lodge, Head of Children’s Services, was heartened by the generosity of individuals and companies and also had praise for the staff who worked over Christmas. She said: “Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust and Dolphin ward in particular see the best in our communities at Christmas time and we are touched by all the good will we see. ”

Lance McCarthy, Chief Executive paid tribute to all of the amazing staff at the hospital who he said work tirelessly to provide care for everyone who needs it, 365 days of the year. He expressed his gratitude to all those who worked on Christmas day to care for children and adults alike and thanked everyone who brought gifts in to the hospital for patients and staff.

In another part of the hospital, the labour ward was kept busy with the arrival of seven babies on Christmas Day. The first Christmas baby was Ayla Trainer was born at 3.01am on Christmas day, weighing in at 7ib 8oz.

Ayla has a big brother, Tyler (18 months old), who was very excited to see his sister for the first time.
Ayla’s proud parents said: “We actually expected her on December 22, and we didn’t know that she was a girl until she arrived.

The staff at Harlow hospital were wonderful (especially our midwife Shenghi), with Ayla being born one hour after we arrived. They were kind enough to give Christmas presents to all the days’ arrivals, which was a lovely touch.”

PAHT would like to thank everyone for their gifts. In addition to Toby Carvery and Stansted Airport, the hospital received gifts from:
Kisses for Kids

Harlow Enterprise

MCA Trust

10 families who have previously had children on the ward

The Dunne Partnership

New Era Fuels

Mitie Security

The Calendar Club