Poorly Patients Cheered Up by Charity Christmas Elf Angela

Our very own Community Fundraising Manager, Angela, features in Channel 5’s ‘The Kids' Hospital at Christmas’. Starting on 9th December at 9pm, Angela is on a mission to find a Christmas present for every child who is just too poorly to return home over the festive period.

Every other month of the year Angela Rowe from Sale is the Community Fundraising Manager for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, but in December she becomes chief Christmas elf, ensuring there are enough Christmas presents for the poorly patients at the hospital.

Angela Rowe, has worked at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity for 4.5 years. As Community Fundraising Manager, Angela thrives on helping people get the most out of their fundraising. Whether they are people with a prior connection to the hospital or community groups and schools throughout the North West, she is driven to make a difference by assisting those fundraising to improve the lives of patients and their families.

The goodwill of the public is especially prominent in the run up to Christmas. Angela is the first to admit that her usual workload takes a backseat once the 1st window on the advent calendar is opened. As the hospital gets into the festive spirit Angela, with the help of the rest of charity team, works tirelessly coordinating the delivery of presents for patients, along will balancing her regular workload.

Every year Angela says she is amazed by the generosity of the public who take the time to drop off toys and gifts for those children unfortunate enough to be in hospital during the Christmas period. She accepts presents from donors, and then with the help of the hospital’s play specialists, sorts them to make sure each child will receive a present they will love.

Despite such kindness, having enough presents is always a worry for Angela, especially panicking about there being enough presents for the older patients.

Angela explains:

“The hospital treats patients up to the age of 18 and it is often the older children and teenagers who are forgotten about. With the help of the play team and my colleagues, I work to ensure that come Christmas our patients suffering from a range of conditions have a present to unwrap which they will enjoy, whether it’s a makeup set for the older girls or even basics such as nice stationery. Donations of these sorts of gifts are always more than welcome”

“For some patients they are just too poorly to return home over the festive period, despite the best efforts of the medical staff. If I can help to ensure each child has a present to open which they love, that’s all what matters. It’s about making Christmas as special as possible for those who have no choice but to have Father Christmas visit them in their hospital bed. For some parents it is often a fear it may be a child’s last Christmas, the charity does anything it can to lighten this time for families.”

Every day throughout December the hospital is bustling with carol singers, brass bands and visitors to the hospital, making for a magical atmosphere. Last year a highlight for Angela was the RAF’s visit to the hospital. Father Christmas landed in his helicopter in nearby Whitworth Park and along with his elves he then delivered presents to the patients – Angela says that the smiles on the patient’s faces were invaluable.

Angela says:

“I have never worked so hard in my life but it really is so rewarding knowing the difference I’m helping to make. It is such an inspirational place to work – before I started I thought I would find the job quite upsetting, there are days when your heartbreaks but working at a children’s hospital is humbling and I feel thankful that I have a healthy child. Seeing what patients can go through, as well as the strength of their parents, drives me forward to do the best I can.”

Angela continues:

“The fact that people fundraise for the hospital shows how appreciative they are of the outstanding care and excellence they are getting from the medical staff. It really is a reflection of their work.”

“Though aspects of the job can be emotional, you really do get to see the nicer side of life in this role, especially at Christmas time – the hospital is like one big family.”

To give a gift this Christmas please click here or text RMCH00 £5 to 70070.