Young patients at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol are in for a Christmas to remember thanks to a festive donation from a local housebuilder.

Yate-based Persimmon Homes Severn Valley has handed over a sack full of presents to patients to help entertain them during their stay in hospital.

Trevor Reid, head of fundraising at Frenchay Hospital said: “We were really delighted with Persimmon’s kind offer.  We are grateful to staff for buying an extra present for our patients – it’s a really thoughtful gesture and will certainly make a difference to all of the children who will be spending Christmas in hospital.”

Nicola Reed, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, added: “Anyone who is fit and healthy probably takes for granted the fact that they are able to wake up in their own home on Christmas morning however, sadly, not everyone is this lucky.

“We want to ensure that the children and young adults who will be waking up in hospital are able to enjoy a bit of normality which is so important, especially at this time of year.”

The Barbara Russell Children’s Unit at Frenchay Hospital is a centre of excellence for the treatment of children’s burns, neurological conditions and orthopaedic surgery. It cares for more than 2,000 children every year from across the South West and beyond.