Railway staff swapped train services for sleighs packed with presents this morning, travelling to Leeds Children’s Hospital to spread some Christmas cheer.
They departed from Leeds station shortly after 10am and made their way through the city centre with an escort from West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The group, which included Northern, TransPennine Express, LNER and Network Rail colleagues, were welcomed by the children and NHS staff at the hospital, before handing out the presents.
British and Commonwealth Boxing Champion Ishmael Davis and rugby league players from Super League, Championship and local community clubs joined them to meet the young patients and give out some gifts.
Patrick Cox, programme delivery manager for Northern, has been organising toy runs to the hospital since 2017. His daughter Caitlin came up with the idea after being given an Easter Egg when she was a patient.
“It started out with two bags of toys and today we had two sleighs full of gifts, enough to ensure all the kids at the hospital get one this Christmas,” Patrick said.
“We had a wide range of toys for the younger kids and toiletries, sports gear and gift vouchers for the teenagers.
“There are a load of portable DVD players, headphones and Netflix subscriptions too, so they can watch their favourite films.
“We’re so grateful to all of the railway staff, local businesses and RMT and ASLEF trade unions, who all made generous donations, and to everyone who came down to support this year.
“You can see that it means so much to everyone here, from the children and their relatives to all of the hospital staff. It puts a big smile on their faces and that’s what it’s all about.”
This year Caitlin, who won the Woman of Steel award for Huddersfield Giants Under 19s side, also presented the hospital with a playing shirt that will be hung in a frame in the MRI suite.
“I’m so proud of her,” said Patrick. “It shows the children that even if they’re going through a hard time, they can overcome it and go on to achieve great things.”
Detention officer Anthony Walker-Senior and safer schools officer PC Gill Nelson collected donations for the toy run from officers and staff at West Yorkshire Police.
Mr Walker-Senior said: “My own children are under the care of Leeds General Infirmary, and I like to be able to give something back to them for the care they have provided, especially at this sad time that some of the unfortunate ones may have to spend Christmas in hospital.”
Laura Whelan, head of nursing at Leeds Children’s Hospital, said: “The toy run has become such a lovely tradition, it’s something we always look forward to in our Christmas calendar and our patients love it.
“It started with one of our patients wanting to give something back and now it has grown to include so many local organisations and people in the community who want to do something kind for children in hospital at Christmas.
“Thank you everyone involved and everyone who has donated. Merry Christmas.”
Maybank Security and Amulet Security have also been praised for stepping in to help transport some of the presents.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
Image credit: Northern