Elves sprinkle some Christmas magic at Bluebell Wood hospice

Christmas elves at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice have been sprinkling festive magic across north Nottinghamshire and beyond, putting huge smiles on children’s faces.
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Christmas came early for the families supported by the charity as its eager elves delivered presents and bucket loads of festive cheer in a covid-safe way across the region.

The elves even had a specially recorded message from Santa himself, who was too busy loading his sleigh to make an early appearance.

Ella Barrowcliffe, aged six, from Retford, has a condition called West Syndrome, which is described by doctors as a ‘storm in her brain’.

Ella Barrowcliffe and dad Mat meeting one of the Christmas elvesElla Barrowcliffe and dad Mat meeting one of the Christmas elves
Ella Barrowcliffe and dad Mat meeting one of the Christmas elves

The elf’s visit provided a much-needed helping of Christmas spirit.

Mum Katie said: “It was really, really nice.

“It was so lovely to have a visit from an elf, especially in these times where we’re not able to get out and do all the usual festive things.

“We’re just really grateful for the visit and the lovely gifts – and the special message from Santa really made it.”

Susan Wood, director of care at Bluebell Wood, said: “Christmas is such an incredibly important time for the families in our care who sadly don’t know how long they’ll have together, so every year we pull out all the stops to make it as magical as possible.

“This year has, of course, been very different – but we were determined that it wouldn’t stop us helping our families to make special memories together.

“Our elves did an amazing job and it was wonderful to see all the smiling faces.

“A huge thank you to all our supporters; thanks to your generosity we can make Christmas dreams come true.”

People can help turn Bluebell Wood dreams into reality while ticking a job off their New Year’s to do list by using the charity’s Christmas Tree recycling service.

For a £10 donation, the charity will collect real Christmas trees from outside people’s homes and then recycle them in an ethical and environmentally friendly way.

For details, click here.