The festive season has officially arrived at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, after a very special guest switched on the hospital’s Christmas lights.
Jack Sneddon, who is a patient at the RHC, was given the hugely important role of kicking off the Christmas fun this year.
The six-year-old recently won the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity’s bauble design competition, and was even joined by a life-size version of his snowman creation to switch on the Christmas tree lights.
Jack, who is from Glasgow, had a cardiac arrest on the day he was born and at just two days old had open-heart surgery. He has been a patient at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow since he can remember, with the specialist team treating him for heart failure, while he waits for a transplant.
Jack’s mum Fiona said: “Jack has loved being able to come and switch on the Christmas tree lights, he’s like a wee mini celebrity. It was so nice to be asked to come and do this.
“Throughout our time at the Royal Hospital for Children, the staff have been amazing, be it nurses, doctors, cleaning staff, kitchen staff, they have all been so, so good to us. We as a family get so much support, I can talk to anyone at any time and Jack gets the best care ever.
“The Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity have been amazing too. It’s like a wee family here.
“We have been at the hospital during Christmas time before and it’s different, everyone gets involved. Nobody wants to be in hospital, especially over at this time of year, but the Royal Hospital for Children staff and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity work so hard to bring the magic of Christmas to the children here.”
The Christmas lights switch on is just one of the many planned activities happening over the festive period at the hospital, with staff working hard to ensure children who are spending time there still have a Christmas to remember.
Mandy Meechan, Interim Chief Nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children, said: “We were so pleased to have Jack as our special guest to switch on the Christmas tree lights this year. He was a star and it was great to see so many of our other patients, their families and our staff join in with the fun.
“What an amazing snowman design too. I’m sure Jack’s bauble will be brightening up Christmas tree’s all over the country, including mine!
“At the RHC, we know that no family wants to spend time in hospital, especially over the Christmas period. Our staff work so hard throughout the year to provide the highest standard of patient-centred care to the children here and to provide support to their families. At Christmas time we all like to do whatever we can to make this a special time and we hope we can still help put smiles on faces.”
Jack’s brilliant snowman bauble has already raised thousands of pounds for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, and is still available for anyone who would like to add it to their tree this year.
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity has funded a full festive calendar of special events, visits and decorations for young patients and their families at the site again this year.
Kirsten Watson, CEO, said: “Switching on the Christmas lights is a symbolic moment for everyone in the hospital. Jack is the star of our Christmas appeal this year, and we are delighted that he was able to join us for today’s event. The tree provides a focal point for the children and their families, reminding them that Santa hasn’t forgotten about them, and allowing them to share the magic of the festive season together.
“We are incredibly grateful to Enviraz for once again sponsoring the tree, and to everyone who donates to help children in hospital this Christmas.”
If you would like one of Jack’s special snowman baubles, please visit the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity for more information on how to make a donation.
