This year, the #NightwearBeforeChristmas campaign has been launched extra early in a bid to boost the number of gifts ready to hand out.
The annual appeal is run by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to make Christmas a happier for inpatients.
The pyjamas and nightgowns are handed out on Christmas Eve at South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital.
This means the patients have something to open on December 25 or a new pair of nightclothes to wear the night before.
The Delirium and Dementia Outreach Team (DDOT), which is based at the Alexandra Centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital, help co-ordinate the donations and distribution there.
The Discharge Lounge at South Tyneside District Hospital leads the effort to cover wards where older patients are cared for on its site.
Claire Boylan, Elder Life Specialist Practitioner with DDOT, said: “This year we’re kicking off the campaign even earlier, as we know that the shelves are often cleared of pyjamas and nighties quite quickly in the run up to Christmas.
“If you’re out doing your shopping or buying online, we’d be so grateful if you’re able to add another pair to your bag. It will make a huge difference to the patient who is given that present from you. Quite a few of our older people on our wards don’t have family nearby or they may be in our care for some time.
“We work really hard across our hospitals to make the festive time a good one for our patients. Anyone who sends on a pair to hand out will bring a smile to a patient’s face and warm their heart.”
Julie Woodhouse, who manages the Discharge Lounge at South Tyneside District Hospital, added: “We know the South Tyneside community is hugely kind and generous and we would love to see people get behind this year’s Nightwear Before Christmas appeal.
“Handing out the gifts in the run up to Christmas Day is a lovely job to do. We’ve seen first-hand the joy it brings to our patients. It cheers them up when they’re not feeling well and we know it means a lot to them.”
Larger sizes are often most in need for patients and can be most comfortable. It is best if they are made from cotton. The teams ask if they can be wrapped by their kind donors, with a label added to say what size they are and if they are for a man or woman.
The hospitals are also welcoming slippers, which need to have backs on them, as well as toiletries, including razors, but not creams. Novels, puzzle and colouring in books and colouring in materials will be gratefully received and will be handed out too.
People who would like to support the South Tyneside District Hospital appeal can drop them into the Discharge Lounge, which is next to the Moorlands Unit.
The lounge is opened from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 8pm and from 8am to 6pm on Sunday.
Anyone with queries can contact the lounge on 0191 404 1193.
Photo: South Tyneside District Hospital Discharge Lounge staff Gaynor Bryden, Jan Defty and Julie Woodhouse will be among those to welcome festive nightwear to gift to patients.
