The campaign was set up by Suzy Parsons, a 101 call handler for the police who lives and works in Devizes. She spent this time last year in hospital with her then newborn baby Rosie who fell sick with meningitis. 

Wanting to give something back to the hospital, Suzy set up Operation Santa Cop, and asked for present donations from police teams across the county.

With collection points in every police station, Suzy saw her donations grow to over 1,000  as generous members of Wiltshire Police donated everything from blankets and beanie hats to toys, cars, puzzles and even an Amazon Dot speaker. Gifts were also donated by shoppers in ASDA West Swindon and Tesco Trowbridge.

At 9am on Wednesday 18 December, Suzy will be visiting the hospital to drop off the presents. Chief Constable, Kier Pritchard, and Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson, will be joining her to help hand out the gifts and visit the children.

The gifts will be given to children on the Children’s Ward, Special Care Baby Unit, in our delivery suites, the Paediatric Assessment Unit and Paediatric Emergency Department.

Suzy Parsons said, “Christmas can be a hard time financially and emotionally for families, let alone if a child is poorly.  I wanted to help families with children in hospital this Christmas. If I can put a smile on their faces for a minute, it will have been worth every second of my time.”

Cat Newman, Associate Director of Fundraising, said: “We are so grateful for this incredibly kind offer from Suzy, and the rest of Wiltshire Police.

“It is an amazing donation and will make a real difference to our children who will be spending time in hospital over Christmas.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity from our partners in the police, thank you.”

If you would like to attend, please confirm by response to this email. Interview and photo opportunities will be available on the day, from both staff and patients at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and staff from Wiltshire Police.