SOUTHAMPTON residents are being urged to help their NHS heroes enjoy a truly magical Christmas this year.

Southampton Hospitals Charity want every one of our NHS heroes, and all of the patients they treat, to enjoy a magical festive season – and you can help make it happen.

At Christmas, many people take the holiday to spend quality family time with those they love.

But when being in hospital means it’s not possible, this time of year can still be full of joy.

University Hospital Southampton is planning a transformation with presents all round, walls decked head to toe in glittering decorations, and rooms bursting with laughter.

And Southampton residents are being urged to help make this possible by donating.

All of the donations will go towards buying a gift for one of the patients or staff members at UHS.

Team leader Sue Walker, from trauma and orthopaedics, said: “Every single member of our team received a selection box and were so pleased. It was a huge boost to morale.

"Please pass on our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated to make this happen.”

Last year, Cat March, therapy technician at UHS, explained: “Christmas is always a hard time of year for our Stroke patients as they have had a life changing event happen to them, and cannot celebrate in the usual way. This year has been made even tougher with Covid restrictions in place, and the patients have been even more isolated.

"This is why it was important to give our patients a little something on Christmas day to try and lift their moods and make them feel not so alone.

"We chose to give our patients some more luxurious toiletries than those usually available on the wards, as having a shower is often something that our patients identify as being mood enhancing, and is something they all are able to achieve with or without support.

"Each patient received a bottle of shower gel, a bottle of shampoo and a tube of hand cream.”

As well as this, the hospital's volunteer teams are offering their 150 volunteers over December a token for refreshments in the hospital.

Donate today at www.southamptonhospitalscharity.org/christmas/