Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) firefighters are hoping to help Santa this year by raising money for children who will be spending the festive period at Royal Berkshire Hospital.
For the second year in a row, firefighters from Red Watch at Whitley Wood Fire Station have embarked on a county-wide challenge to raise money to fund Christmas presents for children who will be spending their Christmas on the Dolphin or Lion ward, instead of at home with their families.
This is something that most parents and guardians will hopefully never have to experience, but for those that do, the firefighters would like to offer them a gift which will hopefully bring a smile to their face.
Martyn Ainsworth, Firefighter at Whitley Wood Fire Station who has been organising this fundraiser, said: “Everyone was so generous last year and we know that the donations were gratefully received by the children. We want to make this year just as special and are hoping that everyone will be able to support this great cause, literally every penny will count!
“We are hoping to raise about £250 this year and will be visiting the children to give them their presents on Wednesday, 20 December.
“Last year people continued to donate even once all children had been given a present and that additional fundraising went towards new equipment on the Ward so this year we are going to continue to collect donations until Sunday, 24 December in the hope that we can have the same success.”
The firefighters have been working with the Ward Sister so that they can make sure that each gift will be carefully selected for each child that will be staying over Christmas. There are over 40 beds on the Ward and our firefighters are hoping that with the generosity of the public and the local community, each bed will have a present waiting for that child.
The firefighters have already had some success in securing toy donations, but they are still hoping for further donations. To donate or find out more from the JustGiving page, please click here.