We’ve had a relationship with St Mary’s Hospital ever since Vince, our officially appointed Cargiant Father Christmas, put on his trademark red suit and set off with his Christmas elves to spread some festive cheer to as many children as they could at the Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care Unit (COSMIC).
Last month, as we geared towards our faithful tradition we were heartbroken to learn that around 150 gifts, worth about £3,000, were taken from a disused ward at St Mary’s. The gifts were due to be given by the charity COSMIC at its Carols by Candlelight Concert and Christmas party for the sick children and their families.
Cargiant Santa and his elves outside St Mary's, Paddington. 2014
After speaking to the staff at St Mary’s, this year our Christmas Charity Team, headed by Rhianne Murphy (our very own Christmas Elf) are coordinating the team that will deliver at least 200 toys to the children who will be in hospital during the festive season. “It couldn’t have come at a better time”, says Rhianne. “We’d planned to visit the children’s hospital this year, so when we heard that COSMIC were in trouble and all those presents for poorly children had been stolen, we are determined to do all we can to support”.
The Cargiant Christmas Charity Team will be visiting St Mary’s next week. We will be packing all the gifts and festive joy we can fit into our very own Christmas Cargiant Sleigh.
The team at Head Office are also getting involved and organising fundraising events for next week, raising money which will be donated to the COSMIC’s Christmas charity appeal which aims to raise £600,000 to transform a unused ward into a ‘Home from Home for families.
We’ll be sure to update you on our visit next week.
In the meantime if you wish to support COSMIC visit their Money Giving Page