Last year, 811 older patients spent Christmas Day in hospital. This experience was made more bearable by the generosity of NHS staff and local people who donated presents for patients as part of the hospital’s “Making Christmas Special” campaign.

This year, the campaign is backed by Age UK LeicesterShire & Rutland. I’m also lending my support and encouraging local people to donate Christmas presents for our older patients who will be too ill to leave hospital and celebrate Christmas at home with their loved ones. These are the patients I met with on a recent visit to the Royal Infirmary.

If you’re able to support this campaign, please click here for further information.