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On Monday evening, we had the privilege of joining patients, families, and staff at the hospital for an unforgettable celebration marking the start of the Christmas season. With sparkling stars, festive treats, and a magical atmosphere, the Christmas Lights Switch-On was a heart-warming reminder of the togetherness that makes this time of year so special.
As one of the local charities supporting the event, we were thrilled to contribute to the festive magic—not just through our work behind the scenes, but by adding a little extra sparkle for the children on the ward.
Bringing Festive Cheer with Face Painting
Our free face-painting station was a hit with the youngest attendees (and even some of the hospital staff as in the photo below). From glittery snowflakes to reindeer noses, we transformed faces into festive masterpieces, spreading smiles and Christmas cheer. Watching children light up as they admired their new looks was one of the highlights of the evening for our team.
Crafting Magic All Year Round
While the face painting brought immediate joy, YBTC’s support for the hospital ward extends beyond Christmas. We’re proud to provide up to £2,000 annually to help fund crafts and activities for children during their hospital stays. These supplies—ranging from paints and paper to beads and clay—offer children a creative outlet, helping them express themselves and find moments of joy during challenging times.
Julie Cooper, Senior Sister at Ward L52, said ‘we are so grateful for the support given to L52 from YBTC, the craft order ensures that the children have activities to complete whilst they are inpatients. This makes such a difference to their stay in hospital’.
A Night Full of Magic
The evening was packed with festive delights. Live music from Lucy’s Pop Choir filled the air, Father Christmas arrived with his sleigh and elves, and even Elsa joined in to make the event extra special. Patients were enchanted by a visit from the cast of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, who brought the magic of Narnia to life with their incredible costumes and characters.
The highlight of the evening came when young patient Charlotte, joined by Play Leader Michelle, pressed the button to illuminate the beautiful Christmas lights. The glow of the stars shone brightly, a symbol of hope, resilience, and community.
Gratitude for a Magical Evening
This event was made possible by the combined efforts of many amazing local charities, including Leeds Hospitals Charity, Candlelighters, The Millie Wright Children’s Charity, and The Sick Children’s Trust, among others. We’re proud to have stood alongside them in creating this magical experience for patients and families.
A special thanks goes to the team at Leeds Playhouse and the cast of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for donating their time and talents to bring extra magic to the evening. And of course, we’re grateful to ITV Calendar and Matt Price for sharing the event live, spreading festive cheer across Yorkshire.
Thank you to everyone who made this event so memorable. Let’s keep lighting up lives together. 🌟
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