Letters to Santa from children in hospital are being redirected to the people of Edinburgh this Christmas.
Children at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) have shared their heart-breaking wishes, but sadly Santa alone can’t make these wishes come true.
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) has stepped in to ask the people of Edinburgh to help bring a little magic to families who won’t be at home for Christmas this year.
Macy, aged 4, is one of the children whose letter to Santa has been sent to homes across the city. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January this year and has since been receiving treatment at the RHCYP.
Mum, Gillian, said: “Due to Macy’s chemotherapy treatment, she has lost her lovely blonde hair which she has found really hard. Her wish this year is for her hair to grow back long enough so she can put it in a ponytail just like mine.
“We are also hoping that she will feel a little bit better as last Christmas she was very poorly. She had frequent colds prior to her diagnosis and just wasn’t in the mood to play with any of her toys.
“Throughout Macy’s treatment, the care and kindness from her nurses, all of the NHS Lothian teams we’ve met and the support from ECHC, as well as lots of other charities, has been phenomenal. It really has made our hospital journey that little bit easier and we are so very grateful to all those who have stood beside us during the most difficult times.”
ECHC supports the work of the RHCYP and NHS Lothian. The charity’s new ‘Redirected Letters to Santa’ appeal is asking supporters to make a gift to support families facing a hospital stay this December.
Pippa Johnston, Director at ECHC, said: “The reality is that some children and young people have to be in hospital over Christmas, so what should be a time of magic and laughter becomes a time of worry – for them and their families.
“While we can’t take away their pain, we can deliver some happiness. Together with our friends in the NHS, we work hard to make sure no child or young person misses out on the joy of the festive season.
“You don’t need a sleigh, or reindeer, or a white beard, but some letters will need more than Santa’s help. We are asking the people of Edinburgh to make a donation to help deliver magic and make Christmas in hospital that little bit easier for children and families.”
To make a donation to ECHC’s ‘Redelivered Letters to Santa’ appeal, visit: