Christmas elf spreads festive spirit at hospital

The Forever Elf took a trip to the Royal Derby Hospital with the POD children’s charity to put smiles on the faces of young patients in the run up to Christmas.

With the firm belief that laughter is the best medicine, POD provides monthly entertainment shows in over 150 hospital children’s wards and hospices across the UK. Their aim is to alleviate the trauma of a hospital stay for children by sowing the seeds of feeling better through fun and laughter.

The Gulliver’s family theme park company is a firm supporter of the charity and regularly helps to fundraise through special events and encouraging donations from its visitors.

On December 1, the elf visited children’s wards at Royal Derby Hospital with POD entertainers. They met children spending the run-up to the festive season in hospital and entertained them with magic shows, balloon modelling fun and festive singalongs.

Julie Dalton, Gulliver’s managing director, said: “Our business is all about giving children fun times and helping them make happy memories with their families. It’s sad to think that some children will have to spend Christmas in hospital away from their loved ones. The work that POD do is so important at this time of year particularly, when children should be looking forward to Christmas with excitement.

“We’re proud to support POD’s work all year round through charity collections and events. Each year Gulliver’s visitors help us to fundraise through our successful Toddler Plod event. This year’s event raised £5,000, a fine gift from Gulliver’s to the charity.”

Since Gulliver’s adopted POD as their official charity three years ago, the company has raised more than £20,000 in total.

For more visit: www.gulliversfun.co.uk.