Hospital staff don festive socks to mark Christmas

Staff from more than 25 hospital departments have got into the Christmas spirit by taking part in a festive sock fundraiser.

Many workers at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge cannot wear Christmas jumpers because they need to wear short-sleeved tops to prevent contamination.

Docs in Festive Socks is the idea of Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT), which hoped it would become an annual event.

Donna Lee-Willis, from ACT, said: "Normally scrubs and lab coats limit their ability to get Christmassy at work, so there has been lots of enthusiasm from staff."

"We have over 25 departments in the hospital taking part, we've got over 10 schools on board, as well as some of our corporate supporters, so everybody has got involved," the charity's head of community fundraising added.

Paula Dolan, a volunteer with Pets as Therapy, got into the spirit of the fundraiser, donning socks herself - and providing a pair for her dog.

She said it was a good alternative to wearing a Christmas jumper, adding: "People in hospital that work in wards can't wear jumpers, because they have to have their arms bare - we're going to go for festive socks day instead."

ACT helps raise funds for cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide to Addenbrooke's and The Rosie Hospital.

It is also raising money to help build two new hospitals in the city - the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children's Hospital.

Ms Lee-Willis said: "Festive Sock Day is a fun and easy way for people to support Addenbrooke's.

"Hospital staff, schools, businesses, members of the public – everyone can jump on board for this annual festive event, launching this year – and best of all, it's really easy to take part."

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