Paramedic 'blown away' by toy appeal response

A paramedic said she was "blown away" by the response to her Christmas toy appeal.

Polly Hurst, who works as a clinician with the East of England Ambulance Service, is collecting toys and books for the Amazon and children's ward at Peterborough City Hospital.

Ms Hurst launched the initiative in 2023 and has donated more than 375 toys in that time. So far, this year, she has collected 204.

The mum-of-two said: "I understand the pressure and emotional strain on both the children and their parents, so this is my way of giving something back at this time of year."

Ms Hurst, 30, said she started this campaign alongside her son Cadent, who is seven.

"My hope is that my son would potentially carry it on himself with maybe his children," she said.

"I just wanted to teach him that sometimes there are people at Christmas who aren't as fortunate as us to be at home with their families, like in hospital which can be daunting, so it just gives the children something to look forward to.

"That being said, the toys that are donated, they are kept all year round, so say if a child is in on their birthday, the toys can be used on those occasions as well."

Mr Hurst, who lives in Stamford in Lincolnshire, said she was "pleasantly surprised" at how many people donated to her campaign over the past three years.

"It does sometimes present a bit of a challenge because everybody is sort of facing their own cost of living crisis.

"Obviously, Christmas is an expensive time for anyone, really, and so, I am always so blown away by the generosity.

"There was a school in Peterborough, actually, this year - St. Augustine's school in Woodston, which donated 100 toys, which was phenomenal."

She said her son underwent surgery at the city hospital in November and she saw firsthand the difference the play team and toys and games made to the young patients at the Amazon ward.

"They [the play team] are such an asset to the hospital - This year it means even more to me to give back", she said.

Ms Hurst said she feels "an enormous sense of pride" and hopes to carry on the initiative with her children for many years.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.