A Wrexham care home\u2019s residents have taken on a new role as Santa\u2019s helpers.<\/p>\n
Kind-hearted residents, relatives and staff of the Penybryn home came up with the idea of donating Christmas presents to the youngsters looked after by Hope House children’s hospices.<\/p>\n
A sackful of toys, sweets and other Christmas goodies have been collected from Penybryn, part of the Pendine Park care organisation, by hospice staff ready for distribution to young patients and their families.<\/p>\n
Pendine Park’s Well-being and Activities Manager, Gerry Humphreys, says the idea to collect gifts for Hope House Children\u2019s Hospices came about thanks to resident, Una Wise.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cDuring a residents\u2019 meeting Una came up with the idea of collecting gifts for Hope House. I then spoke to all our residents and wrote to relatives informing them of what we were doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response has been overwhelming and I’m glad to say we have been able to hand over a huge number of gifts so children and teenagers will get a special gift or two this Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Una Wise, 77, who during a long career used to work as a House Mother at several children\u2019s homes, says she came up with the idea as she knows the children deserve something special.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cChristmas is a time when we should think of others especially little children and especially those who aren\u2019t well. I am pleased the idea went so well and we collected so many gifts. I think it\u2019s wonderful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m also glad we have had someone from Hope House come along and collect all the gifts. Of course we don\u2019t know what the gifts are as they came wrapped in Christmas paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there are lots of them and I\u2019m really pleased. I know other residents wanted to get involved and everyone was asking relatives too. I hope the children like their gifts, I\u2019m sure they will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Penybryn Manager Tracey Cuthill is delighted residents, relatives and staff took on Una\u2019s idea and that so many gifts were donated.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI hope this is something we will continue in the future. I think it is really lovely that residents, relatives and staff have donated so many gifts and it has been beneficial too as it has given our residents a focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cUna used to work in children\u2019s homes and was absolutely determined to get the scheme up and running.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hospice Fundraiser Rachel Jones says Christmas at the their two hospices is a magical time and will be even better this year thanks to the donations of gifts from Penybryn.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe have eight beds at Hope House near Oswestry and four beds at T\u0177 Gobaith, Conwy. However, some children are simply too ill to attend the hospice and outreach workers and nursing staff take care of them and support their families within their own homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese gifts will make a huge difference and I\u2019m delighted to have been invited along to Pen-y-Bryn to collect so many wonderful gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cChildren at the hospice are putting the finishing touches to a pantomime they perform each year for staff and families. This year it\u2019s Cinderella and they will be thrilled to have gifts to open at the end of the show.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a wonderful gesture by residents, their relatives and staff of Pen-y-Bryn and we really can\u2019t thank them enough.\u201d<\/p>\n