Rockinghorse charity looks for support to help children

Rockinghorse Children's Charity aims to bring festive cheer to every child spending the holiday season in a hospital in Sussex.

Every December, thousands of youngsters visit the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton as well as other children's wards across the county.

Whether it’s a quick trip to the emergency department or an extended stay for ongoing treatment, these children are faced with the prospect of a Christmas away from home.

For some, this brings not just fear about their medical circumstances, but also worry about missing out on family celebrations and whether Father Christmas will know where to find them.

Present collection for Rockinghorse.(Image: Rockinghorse Children’s Charity)

Rockinghorse Children's Charity has a plan to ensure these children don't miss out on festive joy.

The charity's efforts include delivering advent calendars and gifts to hospitals, organising Christmas parties and activities, bringing Santa to visit the wards, and providing Christmas meals and hampers to hospitalised families on Christmas Day.

However, these plans rely heavily on contributions from the public.

Donna Holland, the CEO of Rockinghorse Children's Charity, said: "Christmas is an especially busy time for the us here at Rockinghorse.

"Over the next couple of months, we will support the families who already know they are going to be in hospital at Christmas; Those who have just got a diagnosis, or whose child is already sick.

"They know that Christmas day will be spent on a ward, in a treatment room or having surgery.

Santa's Grotto at The Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital.(Image: Rockinghorse Children’s Charity)

"But we also support the families who don’t know they are going to be in hospital yet.

"They will be planning for Christmas as normal, but sometime in the next month or so, something will happen that will completely change their plans.

"A cough that doesn’t go away, a temperate that keeps on rising or an accident waiting to happen.

"At Rockinghorse, we want to do anything we can to help children feel more at home in hospital this Christmas."

The charity has outlined several ways the public can help.

This includes sponsoring a star in the charity’s festive light display at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, organising fundraising events, setting up present collections at work, or arranging advent calendar donations at schools.

Christmas light up display.(Image: Rockinghorse Children’s Charity)

Donations can also be made via the charity’s website.

Every year, Rockinghorse supports as many babies, children and families as possible across the county.

Last December, the charity delivered thousands of presents and advent calendars to hospitalised children, organised a Christmas party for over 100 young outpatients from the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, and provided Christmas dinners and hampers for hundreds of people spending Christmas in hospital.

The charity is hoping to replicate this success this year and is calling on individuals, businesses, schools, and community groups to lend a helping hand.

More information about how to support the charity can be found on their website.