Children light up Medway Maritime Hospital for Christmas

Olivia, Eesha, Luka, Anaiya and Cara from Medway Maritime Hospital’s nursery, Tiny Tugs, marked the start of Christmas at the hospital yesterday (Wednesday 6 December) by switching on the Christmas lights.

Three year old Olivia and four year olds Eesha, Luka, Anaiya and Cara, whose parents work at the hospital, took the starring role at this festive event by pushing the big red button.

Amanda Richards, Tiny Tugs Nursery Manager said: “We are really excited to be involved in the light switch on this year. It is lovely for the children to be able to take part in this annual tradition and for their parents to watch this special occasion.”

Before the main event, 15 members of the Greenacre Academy and Walderslade Girls’ School choir sung Christmas carols to get everyone in a festive mood.

Danielle Breckin, Head of Music at the school said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring our students to sing Christmas carols at Medway Maritime Hospital. We feel very privileged to be able to spread some Christmas cheer. The students have been working hard to perfect their performance and we’re really excited to be able to have this opportunity and raise some smiles at this time of year.”

The Trust’s main courtyard Christmas tree, has been kindly supplied by Elite Investigations, who provide our security and surveillance systems.

Tim Ivory, owner of Elite Investigations said: “I’m delighted to sponsor the main courtyard tree to bring some festive cheer to my local hospital. Elite Investigations would like to wish patients, staff, volunteers and visitors a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.”

Two other Christmas trees have been kindly donated to the hospital this year, one on the roundabout at the hospital’s main entrance, kindly sponsored by E Saunders Limited, Thorlux and Kew Electrical and the other in the Butterfly Garden, kindly sponsored by Drakemoor.

Jayne Black, Chief Executive or Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Christmas at Medway is always a special time. I would like to thank all our guests, the children from our fantastic onsite nursery Tiny Tugs who did such a brilliant job of turning the lights on for us and the local students who sang in the choir.

“I would also like to thank our generous local partners for donating the Christmas trees and decorations to their local hospital this year, and all those behind the scenes who work to make our annual Christmas tree lights switch-on such a special occasion, including the Medway Hospital Charity.”