A charity collected gifts for 1,000 patients Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble hospital to open on Christmas morning.

Lancashire Teaching Hospital’s Charity team were loaned a bus by Stagecoach which meant they were able to collect gifts donated by schools, workplaces and businesses.

The group drove around Preston, Chorley and Leyland on Monday (18 December), collecting gifts, to ensure the donations arrived on time for patients on Christmas Day.

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Students and employees could request the bus to stop at their location, with some including, Asda Fulwood, Longton Primary, Booths Penwortham and UCLan’s Student Union.

The team collected hundreds of presents on the day, which were donated by members of the public, meaning that an estimated 1000 patients would not go without on Christmas.

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Head of charities for the trust, Dan Hill said: “We were truly overwhelmed by the kindness of the Preston, Leyland and Chorley public. We are well aware that we’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis and that Christmas is an expensive time of year anyway. 

“We thought we’d spread a bit of Christmas cheer by coming along in our decorated bus while collecting a few gifts but we received bags and boxes loads.

“We cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity. We’re also very grateful to MP EV Vehicle Charging Solutions for their sponsorship as that covered the cost of all associated marketing materials for this year’s give a gift campaign and will help to purchase additional gifts. 

“Last but not least, we have to thank Stagecoach for the loan of their bus and driver to do the rounds. Without them, it would have been impossible.”

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