Mum's hospital experience inspires Christmas toy donation drive
A mother whose son spent last Christmas in hospital has spearheaded a campaign that will bring festive cheer to children in Ipswich and Colchester hospitals this year.
The big picture: Jo Day, Sales Operations Director at Hudson Group, launched the "Hudson Elfs Out" campaign after her own son Newlyn, now seven, spent time in hospital during last Christmas period. For every sale made in November, the company pledged to buy a toy for hospitalised children.
Behind the initiative: Day said: "We're so excited that we've been able to donate so many toys to children this Christmas. It's been a magical project to be involved with, and we know the toys will bring some festive cheer."
The details:
- More than 170 toys donated to children spending the festive period in hospital
- Most toys will be distributed to children at Ipswich and Colchester hospitals
- Some toys will remain in hospital play areas for year-round use
- Newlyn, now recovered, helped select the toys for donation
- The campaign was backed by Hudson Group's management team
The personal connection: "We thought Newlyn would be spending last Christmas in hospital," Day explained. "So, we understood how hard that is for children and their families. Luckily, Newlyn was allowed home on Christmas Eve, but from that moment, I knew we could do something to help others less fortunate."
Bottom line: What started as one family's challenging Christmas experience has transformed into a community initiative that will brighten the festive season for children in local hospitals.
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