A troop of Christmas elves from three Tesco stores across Birmingham have helped sprinkle a bit of festive joy to a children’s ward ahead of the big day.
Members of staff from the Sheldon, Yardley and Hodge Hill branches of Tesco helped to bring smiles to the faces of young patients on the ward delivering Christmas presents and bringing Father Christmas along as well to say hello.
The staff at all three stores have been busy raising money in the run up to Christmas to buy presents to deliver to the children and also surprised staff with plenty of chocolates, mince pies and even a £400 donation as well.
Marcus Bagley, store manager at the Sheldon branch, said: “As stores we were given more of a free rein this year to get involved with our local communities and we decided to join forces and raise money for the children’s ward at Heartlands as it is the hospital close to all three and such a great cause.
“We raised over £1,000 in total from a variety of events and purchased four portable DVD players for patients to use, as well as gifts to give out and chocolate and mince pies for the staff working over Christmas. We still had £400 left over so have donated that to the ward as well.
“We decided to all dress up as elves and come in to see the children and give them a gift. We hope it has given them a bit of joy at a difficult time and for me and Steph Wiggin, the manager at Hodge Hill, it is our first Christmas as store managers so to do something like this has been lovely.”
Christine Morrell, health play specialist at Heartlands Hospital, part of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, thanked the Tesco teams for their kind donations and for spreading some Christmas joy on the ward.
She said: “It was quite a sight to see all the Tesco staff dressed as elves around the ward but it brought a lot of smiles and laughter for the children and staff. It is never nice for children to be in hospital at any time of the year but particularly at Christmas, so we like to try and make it as pleasant as we can for them and a visit from Father Christmas and his elves certainly helps.”
