Ellie makes the hospital sparkle for Christmas

2 December 2011

Our hospital is now sparkling for Christmas after Richard McCourt of TV duo Dick and Dom flicked the switch on the festive lights with a helping hand from former patient, one-year-old Ellie White and her brother Noah.

Ellie, from Halfway in Sheffield, spent last Christmas in hospital when she was born with an inflamed bowel, causing breathing difficulties. Surgeons had to operate before she was even a day old and again eight weeks later.

Ellie, dressed in her Christmas best for the event, will be able to spend this festive season at home with her family. “Ellie is doing everything she should be doing now and eating everything too!” said mum Anna.

"Ellie owes her life to the specialist skills of the surgeons who completely turned Ellie's life around. We are so lucky to have The Children's Hospital and the expertise within it so close to home.”

The crowd were in good spirits as the countdown got underway with Christmas cheer provided by local choir, St Thomas' Youth Group, singing traditional carols. Theo Bear joined Father Christmas in giving gifts to patients while parents warmed up with hot chocolate and mince pies.

Hospital chaplain Bill Burleigh told the story of Christmas before everyone headed outside for the big countdown. The lights were activated by pushing a mini Theo Bear’s belly button.

Our snowflake lights are sponsored by local businesses, schools and anyone willing to donate. All the money raised from this year’s Christmas campaign goes towards improving our theatres department, where the hospital’s dedicated staff perform 11,000 operations each year, changing the lives of children like Ellie every day.

Richard McCourt started out on the hospital's former radio station in 1988 and is currently filming a new children’s TV series with on-screen comedy partner Dominic Wood. Richard took time out during his return to the hospital yesterday to visit a patient and give autographs to young fans.