Volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group bring Christmas to Bristol children’s hospital

Volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group have been bringing Christmas cheer to patients at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC).

On Thursday (28 November) the volunteers decorated trees on the wards at the hospital and created a Santa’s grotto in the Play Centre.

The opportunity was organised by Above & Beyond, the official charity for the children’s hospital.

Julie Fisher, the Activities Centre manager at BRHC, said: “It’s so lovely to have the hospital decorated and bring a festive feel for patients who will be treated here in the run up to Christmas.

“We’re so grateful to the Lloyds Banking Group volunteers for giving their time today and to Above & Beyond for making this opportunity happen.”

Chris Kelly, a staff member at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We chose to spend our volunteering day with the Above & Beyond, setting up decorations at the children’s hospital in Bristol.

“It was a great day getting in the Christmas spirit and in support of the fantastic work done by the charity. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the patients and staff when we were finished made it so worthwhile.

“More of our team will be returning to the hospital later this month to help with the Above & Beyond chocolate run, where the charity provides chocolates to hospital staff as a thank you for their amazing work.”

Above & Beyond regularly organise volunteering opportunities, as well as fundraising for equipment, ward transformations, staff training and research.

Gemma Jenkins, Above & Beyond corporate partnerships officer, said: “Here at Above & Beyond we love making volunteer opportunities happen at the hospital.

“It not only lets staff from local firms give something back to the hospitals, it really helps the staff at the hospitals during busy periods.”

For more information about Above & Beyond go to: www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk.