I'd like to introduce you to Christmas Ted. Ted came into our lives on Christmas Day 1991 in a busy hospital ward near where we live.
Our daughter was in the children's ward recovering from a serious illness, but not well enough to come home. 'I'm getting too old for Santa,' she said, slipping into the day room as Father Christmas did his rounds. But when she returned to the ward, there was Santa Ted, sitting on her bed, a generous gift from the hospital volunteers who did their best to make Christmas for the children (many of whom were very young) extra special. Ted's been a part of our family ever since.
For most of the year he sits out of sight in the guest room and never makes his 'presents' felt. But around December he magically starts to move around and there's no telling where he might turn up next...
I found him yesterday upstairs, wrapping all the presents to take to children everywhere. I'd just returned from visiting a very dear friend of mine who, after two major operations, is too ill to go home for Christmas.
So if you know a child of any age, from one to 101, who'll be in hospital this Christmas, why not visit them over the next few days. Thank the doctors and nurses for giving up the festive celebrations with their families, not to mention the volunteers. And send them lots of love from Christmas Ted.
SEASONS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL
Thanks for all your support in the past year and wishing you all the best in 2018
