FOR the seventh year, a kind-hearted volunteer has donated cuddly toys to poorly babies at Warrington Hospital.

Each year, Chris Todd donates soft toys to the neonatal unit on behalf of the Maritime Volunteer Service.

They are used as gifts for babies on the neonatal unit who are not ready to go home for Christmas Day.

Erica Wiles from the hospital’s neonatal unit said: “Chris Todd’s generosity is heartwarming, and we are forever grateful to him on behalf of the Maritime Volunteer Service for the soft cuddly toys for our babies to wake up to on Christmas morning.

“This is the seventh year that Chris has donated to the neonatal unit, and we look forward to seeing him every year and are grateful to him and the Maritime Volunteer Service for their continued support of our hospitals.”

Warrington Hospital’s neonatal unit cares for more than 400 babies each year and is equipped with two intensive care cots and a total of 12 spaces for a mix of high-dependency and special care babies.

There is also a dedicated family room for parents to spend time away from the unit – visiting time is unrestricted for parents and siblings, allowing them to spend valuable time bonding with their newborns.

Chris, who is headquarters manager for the Maritime Volunteer Service, said: “Christmas is that time of special giving and what is more special than giving our new soft cuddly toys to those very special babies in the unit.

“All the members of the service would like to wish all the babies, mums, and dads; not forgetting the dedicated staff hearty season’s greetings, and all the best for 2024.

“I would also like to say a big thank you to the staff at The Entertainer store in Golden Square for choosing the gifts for us.”