Nearly 300 toys have been donated and will be gifted to sick children at Watford General Hospital this Christmas.
Charlott Saunders, from West Watford, is the brains behind the idea and is working closely with the hospital’s charity Raise to collect and distribute the presents.
The 28-year-old has strong personal reasons for wanting to help the hospital and take “pressure off the staff”.
Read More
- Street blighted by drinkers and drugs to get CCTV camera
- Pregnant woman's 'awful two-hour' bus wait 'triggered early birth'
In 2018, her daughter River, now four, stopped breathing when she was just a few weeks old.
She said: “I had to resuscitate her and 999 talked me through it. The paramedics saved her life.
“She had severe bronchitis, and we end ended up at Watford General and they looked after her. I am so grateful for the work they do.”
Ms Saunders, a franchise recruitment manager, continued: “We all forget that if we become ill tomorrow, they are the services that will help us.
“I know of a nurse who works there who started collecting presents for the children and I thought they should not be having to do that because they work so hard already.
“It’s for the children but to also take the pressure off the staff too.”
The present collecting started at the beginning of November and Ms Saunders believes she has close to 300 toys.
She said: “About 70% of toys have come from community members, which is amazing considering the cost-of-living crisis.
“Other donations are from local business and organisations.”
Local councillors have also raised £1,600 which is going directly to the charity to buy toys.
All toys donated must be new and can be dropped off at Raise West Herts Charity, Sycamore House, Watford General Hospital, WD18 0HB, between 9am and 4pm.
Cuddly toys (plushies) will not be accepted because they cannot be sanitised, and toy guns are not allowed.
A one-day drop off event will also be held at Fullerians Rugby Football Club on December 4, from 9am to 1pm.
Ms Saunders is also looking for volunteers to help wrap the presents.
The dates are December 12 to 16 and 19 to 22. Shifts start from 9.30am to 12.30am and 1.30am to 4.30pm.
She can be contacted on 07752 116993 for more information.
Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here