Our festive roundup
We decided to go all out for our 2024 festive period, adding extra brightness to our trust and communities by hosting special events for our patients, staff, and community members.
Firstly, we held a Christmas lunch and showcase event for local organisations, businesses and charities on Thursday 19 December.
We invited guests to Shotton Grange for a 2-course festive lunch whilst learning more about the work we do, alongside our partner organisations.
Bright wanted to spread some festive cheer as a thank you to everyone who had supported the charity in 2024, whether it was by volunteering, fundraising, or donating. Potential supporters were also encouraged to learn more about what Bright does, opening the door to potential opportunities in the future.
Guests heard from:
Music in Hospitals & Care – providing live music to our patients and staff to boost morale and help with reminiscence.
Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation – our longstanding partnership on the Hoops4Health programme educates children in school about staying healthy and active.
Wag and Company – volunteers and their dogs attend our hospital sites to befriend patients and staff, brightening their day.
Four-legged friends Max, Whitley and Gracie greeted guests arriving to the venue, creating a calming environment and allowing their volunteer owners to speak about the work they do.
Rob Graham, head of Bright Charity, said: “We were blown away by the support we received at our Merry & Bright Christmas event last week.
“Over 70 guests came to learn more about how we support Northumbria Healthcare and our surrounding communities – and enjoy a great lunch, of course!
“Special thanks to Maguires Country Parks, who surprised us with a donation of £2,000 to our Teardrop fund, which will help support patients, families and staff who have experienced baby loss.”
Festive activities for our staff:
Letters from Santa
As a special treat for our hardworking staff and their loved ones, we created Letters from Santa!
For a small donation to the charity, the children and grandchildren of our workforce received a custom letter from Santa himself.
Shay, pictured left, was one of over 165 children who received a letter from the North Pole. In it, Santa explained how good he’d been this year and talked about what he wanted for Christmas.
Staff quiz night
Before Christmas we held a fun-filled staff quiz night at North Tyneside General Hospital.
Our NVS cafe ‘Harry’s’ was the place to be, with 6 eager teams competing for some brilliant prizes.
Sunny, our mascot, even dressed up as Santa to say hello to our quizzers!
Volunteer Ray had the most important job, being our quiz master for the night, and he did a brilliant job of it.
Donations from generous local businesses:
Bright were honoured to receive numerous donations of gifts for our patients this Christmas.
TEXO’s Port of Blyth team donated loads of gifts to our young patients at NSECH Children’s A&E. From football shirts to LEGO, colouring books to Squishmallows, these thoughtful presents aimed to bring a bit of brightness to the children in our emergency department this Christmas.
Miller Homes also wanted to give back this festive season, donating toys to Child Health services at North Tyneside General Hospital.
Last, but certainly not least, Home Instead South East Northumberland dropped off presents for our elderly patients at Wansbeck General Hospital.
