Nursing students deliver festive cheer to patients at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

A group of generous student nurses have helped deliver some early festive cheer to patients at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Fern Williams, Ceri Chamorro, Natalie Evans and Kate Topple, third year adult nursing students at Bangor University, have been working alongside their lecturer Angela Williams to fill shoeboxes full of presents for patients at the hospital since October.

It is the second year the group have delivered shoeboxes full of goodies to patients, with the gesture being inspired by Ceri’s experience on a clinical placement at the Wrexham Maelor in 2015.

During her time at the hospital, Ceri said it was upsetting to see patients without visitors and those who didn’t receive a Christmas card.

To help give those patients something to enjoy and to smile about over Christmas, the group decided to collect and fill shoeboxes with goodies and to help spread the festive cheer on the wards.

A total of 80 shoeboxes packed full of goodies, toiletries and games were delivered to patients on Onnen, Acton and Evington wards earlier this week.

The remaining 14 boxes were donated to The Penley Rainbow Centre while the remaining goods – including soap, shower gel and flannels – were donated to Heddfan- Gwanwyn ward.

Student nurses, lectures at Bangor University and Borras Park school Choir accompanied by headteacher Mrs Hurst and Mr Valentine helped distributed the Christmas boxes to the patients.

Mayor and mayoress John and Ann Pritchard also attended and helped distribute the boxes to patients and provided the group with Christmas cards

Commenting on the visit, Fern said: “The school choir were fantastic and brought a tear to everyone’s eye. Patients and staff were singing along with the children.

“Some of the patients have been in hospital for a very long time and some unfortunately do not have any relatives or visitors. It was lovely for the children to help us spread Christmas cheer.

“Ward sisters have contacted me today to thank me and have said the patients really enjoyed it and has helped put a smile on the patients faces who will be spending Christmas in hospital.

“Last year was a huge success so we decided to do it again. This year, students from other years got involved and helped us wrap the boxes.”

Fern added: “Christmas can be a lonely time, but knowing those patients have a gift on Christmas Day is very satisfying.”