Waterhead Academy students bring festive cheer to hospital staff and patients

Pictured are Year 11 Senior Prefects along with Mr Ryan Kessebeh, Manchester United SPO who is based at Waterhead Academy and Jessica Pollard, NorthCare Charity Fundraising Manager

Students at Waterhead Academy have continued their community partnership with NorthCare Charity by writing Christmas cards for patients and staff who will either be receiving care or working throughout the festive period at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

The Academy choir will also be performing festive songs at the hospital to provide a sprinkle of festive cheer, and will also visit staff to deliver mince pies and chocolates.

Assistant Principal for Personal Development, Mr Neil Wilson, said: “We greatly value our community partnership with Northcare Charity and are extremely proud of our students for contributing to the latest festive community programme.

"I would also like to express my thanks to Jessica and the team at Northcare Charity for their support in developing our fantastic community partnership.”

Fundraising Manager Jessica Pollard added: "Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones, and it can be particularly difficult for our patients receiving care in hospital who aren’t able to go home over the festive period.

“NorthCare Charity provides gifts and involve staff in the wrapping process and writing personalised gift tags, and it’s a great way to make our patients feel a little more at home and brighten up Christmas Day.

“We are proud to have provided gifts for every patient across our hospitals in Greater Manchester for the past three years - a whopping 12,000 presents collectively, but this year we need the support of the local community to spread some festive cheer.”

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