Christmas bedding donated to hospital families

Theo, Chloe and Evie Green helped gather donations for families at the Freeman Hospital

Dozens of Christmas bedding and pyjama sets have been donated to families in hospital.

Evie Green, 6 and from Middlesbrough, spent years of her young life in and out of the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle before she received a donor heart in 2024.

Her family helped raise funds and gather bedding and gifts for families on the same ward, with Evie's mum Chloe Green saying: "It's a really tough time to be in hospital.

"Having festive bedding helped make the ward feel warm and cheerful instead of clinical and I'd love every child to have that same comfort this Christmas."

They spent Christmas 2023 on the ward while Evie, who had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, waited for an organ donor.

"We didn't know if that Christmas was going to be her last, so you have to try and make every day special," Ms Green said.

"Initially in my plan, I wanted to raise enough money or donations of bedding for 31 beds."

More than 50 sets were donated, along with pyjama sets and gifts, which the family, including Evie's brother Theo, helped put into gift bags.

Funds were raised for the ward while Christmas bedding and pyjama sets were donated

Senior sister at the Freeman Hospital's children's heart unit Lesley Hamilton said the "thoughtful donation" would help make Christmas special.

"We are grateful to Evie and her family for their generous donation," she said.

"We know it can be difficult having to spend Christmas on the unit, so we do everything we can to make it feel as festive and homely as possible."

This upcoming Christmas will be Evie's second at home since receiving a new heart.

Ms Green said: "She's always been full of energy even in hospital, but now she's had the transplant she's just like any other kid her age.

"It's lovely."