More businesses across the region have backed a campaign by the Evening News and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (N&N) as our Christmas present appeal gathers pace.

It means that a number of organisations are now supporting our Send a Smile with Santa campaign, which aims to ensure that every patient forced to spend Christmas Day at the N&N gets a wrapped present.

The campaign aims to get 1,000 donated by December 10, and businesses are encouraged to get involved by donating gifts or setting up drop-off points for staff and customers.

Suitable presents range from puzzle books, socks, toiletries, and toys.

The latest businesses to back the appeal are the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society, car dealers Inchcape Retail, and Bowthorpe-based Brandbank, which creates product images and words for supermarkets.

All three have also helped the N&N with previous Christmas present appeals.

Charlotte Long, a customer advisor at the building society, said: 'We want to spread Christmas joy to all in the hospital on Christmas day, in the hope that their day can be as magical as possible.'

Jamie Goorwitch, sales and customer service team manager at Inchcape Retail, added: 'As a business, supporting the Send a Smile with Santa campaign is our way of giving back to the community at this very special time of year.'

And Hannah Brown, corporate responsibility manager at Brandbank, said: 'Brandbank staff wanted to be part of making sure that the Christmas season is as special as possible and are looking forward to providing gifts to help ensure festivities can take place at the hospital.'

For more information on the appeal, please contact Louise Cook, fundraising manager at the N&N, on 01603 287107 or email Louise.Cook@nnuh.nhs.uk

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There are a variety of presents which the Evening News and N&N are hoping will be donated to the patients at the hospital.

Patients treated on the wards during Christmas will range from newborn babies to elderly people, and all ages in between, so the scope for presents is big.

Examples of suitable presents include sensory toys, colouring books, puzzle books, socks, diaries or calendars, toiletries or magazines.

To prevent infection the hospital will only be able to accept new items in their original packaging, and not wrapped in paper.

All donated food products must be in a sealed package and still in date beyond December 25.

You can drop off your donated presents up to December 10. This will ensure that the hospital staff have enough time to wrap the presents by Christmas Day.

You can drop off presents at the N&N or at the Evening News' headquarters at Prospect House on Rouen Road, Norwich, or at a number of businesses across the city.

For more information contact Louise Cook on 01603 287107 or email louise.cook@nnuh.nhs.uk