Caregivers bring Christmas cheer to patients, families and friends
Hawkesbury District Health Service’s recent Lighting of the Christmas Tree event brought Christmas to patients and their loved ones.
19 Dec 2017
19 December 2017
About 450 people came together to sing along to their favourite Christmas carols and celebrate the holiday season with an amazing line-up of local talent, which included local school choirs from Chisholm Catholic Primary School, Richmond High School, Richmond Public School, St Monica’s Primary School as well as Hawkesbury District Health Service’s Choir, local veterinarian Dr Ian Henry on bagpipes, and Hawkesbury Concert Band.
Sharon Matthews, whose mother Mary Mortensen was a patient at the hospital, said they were grateful they could spend the evening together as a family.
“We weren’t sure that mum was going to make it this week, however she made it through and was really keen to come out to the event, which we all really enjoyed and it brightened her up,” Sharon said.
“We would like to thank the hospital for bringing mum out to the event and for the care and compassion shown to us all at this time.”
Hawkesbury District Health Service Chair of Community Board of Advice Brenda Harrold OAM praised caregivers for their hard work in creating a successful event.
“Our Christmas celebration is a special time as we bring Christmas to our patients, their families and friends,” Ms Harrold said.
"With an area close to the stage reserved for patients and their families to enjoy the band and entertainment, it was lovely to see so many patients outside in the fresh air singing carols in wheelchairs and beds.”
“Our caregivers went to great lengths to bring patients to the event and I thank everyone for their dedication to making Christmas special for our patients and their loved ones.”
In addition to the singing, Hawkesbury District Health Services Chief Executive Officer Strephon Billinghurst read to the crowd The Legend of the Christmas Rose and Hawkesbury District Health Service Director of Mission Lisa Connell shared a Reflection with the audience.
Just on dusk, the crowd counted to three upon which the hospital’s Christmas Angel lit the Christmas Tree to everyone’s delight.