Hampstead's Royal Free Hospital Embraces Christmas Season

The Royal Free Christmas Campaign has begun, with the Hampstead hospital's Christmas lights being switched on last week. Three patients from the children's ward, Sophia Evangelides, Zara Prodromou and Aniella Stavrou, did the honours.

    Sophia was pleased to be chosen to turn on the lights, 'It was a really nice thing to do.'

    The Royal Free Christmas events shall continue throughout December, with carol singers and musicians visiting wards around the hospital. Money raised will go towards presents for patients who have to spend Christmas in hospital, hampers for staff having to work and gifts for Christmas day babies!

    Chris Burgh, chief executive of the Royal Free charity praised the initiatives. 'We are committed to improving the patient experience at the Royal Free and Christmas is a time when this is especially important. It's obviously a difficult period for patients because they would much rather be at home with their family and friends. By providing gifts and entertainment, we're aiming to make their hospital stay just that little bit easier. We also want to show our appreciation to all our staff, especially those who will be working over Christmas. They do a fantastic job and the hampers, decorations and events are our way of saying thanks by providing a pleasant working environment.'

    Other events will include entertainment on the children's ward as well as a carol service on the 12th at the Rosslyn Hill Chapel, lead by the Camden Choir to raise money for the Royal Free charity.