SUPPORTERS of a Bolton NHS charity have launched their winter appeal to help patients and staff this winter.

The appeal, called The Small Things, focuses on providing patients and hospital workers with thoughtful items during the festive period which will make a huge difference to their lives.

The pandemic has shown people across the borough that small gestures, such as delivering food to elderly relatives, can have a big impact, say the appeal's backers.

p>The charity, Our Bolton NHS, will use the donations to purchase the all-important gifts, including reusable water bottles for staff working in PPE, activity pouches for patients with dementia and presents for children in hospital over the Christmas period.

 

Sharon Martin, director of strategy and transformation for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have been humbled by acts of kindness towards our staff, such as letters and pictures from pupils at local primary schools, thank-you NHS rainbow road markings at the entrance to the Royal Bolton Hospital, and food supplies and donations from local businesses.

“In turn, hospital and community-based staff have supported patients with small acts of kindness and compassion.

"For example decorating the central delivery suite with daffodils for new mums on Mothering Sunday, tying rainbow ribbons in the bereavement garden for every patient sadly lost to Covid-19, and yarnbombing the memorial garden with little knitted gifts for patients to take home.

“We want to fund the small things that make a big difference for our patients and our staff, but we can’t do it without your help.

“If everyone in Bolton gave just one pound, we’d raise more than £250,000 to support our work.

“I really hope everyone can get behind us and continue to show just how brilliant Bolton is when we all stand together.”

Other gifts provided by the charity include well-being bags for staff and mindfulness support packs for young people admitted to hospital with a mental health emergency.

The charity has set up a JustGiving page and aims to raise £25,000 to help people this winter.

Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/campaign/TheSmallThings.