Ysbyty Gwynedd staff give back to their community by donating toys to good causes

Staff from Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Theatres and Intensive Care Unit have donated toys and goods towards local causes as a way of thanking the community for their support this year.

Staff from across all our hospitals have received so many kind donations from members of the public who are so grateful for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The theatres team have purchased items, such as skateboards, for local children in care and donated through Dafydd Hardy Estate Agents who organised the collection.

Theatres Manager, Dafydd Pleming, said: “The idea to start a collection came from our Directorate General Manager for Surgery, Dylan Williams.

“During these difficult times, staff are aware there are families in our community who require that extra support due to a number of reasons.

“We wanted to support a local business such as Dafydd Hardy and we really wanted make a difference to those children who may not receive a present this Christmas.

“We raised around £500 within our department and that has enabled us to buy items such as speakers, football and rugby balls for the kids.

“The response from our local community this year has been incredible and we really wanted to say thank you in any way we could.”

The Intensive Care team on Cybi Ward have also organised a collection of toys for North Wales Superkids Charity and goods for a local foodbank.

Advanced Critical Care Practitioner, Tracy Jones, said: “The collection of toys were organised through myself, Sister Nikki Whiteman and Sister Susie Scudamorie. The foodbank collection was organised through Jane Williams.

“We chose North Wales SuperKids Charity as it would help local families, we were all keen to give back to the local community especially with the generosity shown to Critical Care during COVID-19, we were showered with gifts such as food and scrubs were even made for us.

“We also know that many people have lost their jobs and are struggling more than ever this year again due to the pandemic, and we wanted to help.

“I would like to thank Margaret Williams from the North Wales SuperKids Charity for being very helpful and sharing all the stories of the families they help.

“Everyone from the Critical Care team contributed and I’d like to thank the staff for their lovely gifts, Susi for helping me sort the gifts and Nikki for helping me deliver to the charity.

“We hope our gifts will make the children smile on Christmas Day and we want to thank the community for supporting us and also for adhering to the government guidelines that helps us directly here in the hospital.”