Haskins Garden Centre brings Christmas joy to Friends of PICU at Southampton Hospital

Haskins Garden Centre in West End, Southampton, has donated 120 Christmas bears to Southampton General Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

The toys will be given as an early Christmas gift to children receiving care on the unit in the lead-up to the festive period.

The stuffed toys will be donated to patients through Friends of PICU, a charity that supports over 1,000 children each year needing specialist care at Southampton Hospital.

Peter Callaway, General Manager of Haskins West End, said: “Our annual Christmas toy donations have become a tradition and one that our staff at Haskins West End are absolutely delighted to be continuing once again this year.

“It brings the team great pride to continue our relationship with Southampton General Hospital and Friends of PICU charity, and is just a small way we are able to give back to the community. We hope that these toys bring smiles and festive joy to the children admitted onto the ward at Christmas.”

Friends of PICU has benefited from Haskins’ support, creating a strong relationship between the centre and its chosen charity. Friends of PICU added:

“We could not be more grateful for Haskins West End’s continued support. Thanks to their donation we are once again able to provide a special Christmas gift to children receiving care on these wards.

“Children in hospital throughout the Christmas period often miss out on fun school activities and time with family, so being able to provide these gifts is a lovely way to share some festive joy throughout the ward.”

In total, Haskins has donated cuddly toys to charities across the south this festive season, as part of a continuing mission to support the local communities in which each centre sits.