Sweet gesture for hospital kids thanks to December duo
A kind-hearted duo from Bradford and Leeds have succeeded in their mission to collect over 250 chocolate selection boxes for the third year running.
Their aim? To make kids happy at Christmas.
Children at the Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale Hospital looked intrigued (and delighted) as the Sarah Royal and Qais Ashfaq wheeled in boxes upon boxes of the festive chocs earlier this week.
Sarah said: “It’s so nice for the kids on Christmas day to have something to wake up to. It’s can’t be that great spending Christmas in hospital.
“I raise funds through social media, like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and I also hound my family and friends for about a month until they’ve all bought some.”
Sarah continues: “People can buy a box, or they can give us a pound, or however much they want. This year we have beaten the target on boxes already, so we have about £300 spare to give to charity.”
Sarah and Qais have decided to give the money to Centre Point, the leading charity that helps homeless young people. The money is enough to pay for two rooms for a whole year.
Why does Qais do this? He said: “It’s nice to put a smile on the kids’ faces, you can’t go wrong with that can you?”
Cath Piggott, Hospital Play Specialist at the BRI, thanked the volunteers for their support.
“When the children see the chocolate boxes, their eyes light up,” she added. “It’s also good for the staff, who sometimes don’t want to be here on Christmas day and it’s a real morale booster.
“The staff light up when they see the kids opening the chocolates. It’s nice for everybody to see. Parents don’t expect it, either. Thank you very much Sarah and Qais.”
If you would like to make a donation to the ‘Great Selection Box Appeal’ this year, please contact Sarah Royal at sarahroyal_8@hotmail.com
