Santa and a very special helper put smiles on the faces of youngsters spending Christmas in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals by donating chocolate and toys to patients in the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital.

Sofia Honey, 8, and her Mum Sammy Adcock delivered more than 100 selection boxes and “bravery” boxes to the children’s hospital on Wednesday afternoon and came back again today to deliver more. The bravery boxes contain toys and activities suitable for all age ranges from babies to teenagers. They will be handed out on Christmas Day to all the youngsters who have to stay in hospital.

Sofia Honey was treated for leukaemia in the Jenny Lind and wanted to raise money to buy toys and activities for inpatients because when she was in the hospital, she could not play with any of the toys.

Sofia Honey said: “When I came into hospital for my cancer treatment all the toys were for babies, and I didn’t want to play with them. These boxes are filled with Fidgets, Uno, colouring books and little bits and bobs, stuff they can just keep doing at any time of the day.”

Sofia Honey, who is one of the hospital’s Community Champions, and her mum raised the money by turning her celebratory cancer party into a fundraising opportunity.

She said: “I thought it would be a good idea to raise some money, so we did it at my party. We had little games like guess the name of the Teddy and I was asked if I wanted to do pin the tail on the donkey. I said could we do pin the port on a giant me instead.

“We raised £7,000. Last Christmas we gave some selection boxes and at Easter we gave Easter eggs. “I like doing it because I can see the smiles on their faces when they get a gift.”

Sofia Honey and Sammy were joined by Morgan Lewis, from Attleborough cakery, Bakeaholics, who was a patient at the hospital as a child. Morgan said: “I was in and out of the Jenny Lind a lot as a child and have never been able to come back until now, to say thank you and to be involved in this.”

Sammy said: “I am immensely proud of Sofia Honey and I remain eternally grateful to the hospital and know how hard it is for these youngsters to be in hospital away from their families on Christmas Day. It is lovely to be able to spread a little joy.”

NNUH Paediatric Emergency Matron Alice Cook said: “A huge thank you to Sofia and her mum Sammy. To continue to think of us after all that Sofia’s been through makes her a very special little girl. Her donation of selection boxes and bravery boxes makes such a difference to the children who have to be in hospital on Christmas Day.”

Julie Cooper, Head of Grants for the N&N Hospitals Charity said “Sofia Honey was one of our Charity Champions for 2022, and we are incredibly grateful for the support she and her family have provided for our Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital Fund. “

Donations to our Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital Fund have helped fund self-soothe toys for children undergoing treatment, additional training for nurses and fantastic artwork for the new Paediatric Theatres.  To find out more, or to make a donation, please visit www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk

Picture caption: Sofia Honey Adcock, mum Sammy Adcock, Morgan Lewis and Alice Cook