Every Christmas, we are genuinely “blown away” by the support and generosity of the local community. We feel very fortunate to have so many wonderful supporters. These kind individuals, companies, and groups generously share their time to spread Christmas cheer to patients at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) and the dedicated staff caring for them.
Here’s our recap of another magical festive season full of kindness, joy, and true community spirit 🎅🎄🌟
Shining Stars Appeal 2025
This Christmas, we wanted to “light up” MKUH with our “Shining Stars.” This appeal was a way for individuals, community groups, schools and companies to make a real difference to patients, families and staff over the Christmas period and beyond. The stars were proudly displayed at MKUH Main Entrance and raised £1600 for projects such as the funding of reminiscence books for dementia patients, keeping “Buddy,” our patient experience trolley fully stocked and purchasing specialist equipment, such as scalp cooling systems, for our cancer centre.
Thank you to the following companies for supporting our “Shining Stars” appeal:
Sporting heroes return
Once again, we had the pleasure of welcoming players from MK Dons Football Club (Men’s and Women’s teams) and Milton Keynes (MK) Lightning, to MKUH in December. They’ve been bringing Christmas cheer to the children’s wards and children’s emergency department (ED) for many years now, with patients and their families enjoying having their photos taken with their favourite sporting stars, and receiving a special gift. This year, we also welcomed players from Milton Keynes Rugby Club (MKRUFC) who arrived with a huge selection of gifts for both our young and adult patients at MKUH.
Incredible support from local companies
- GXO Logistics visited Ward 3 in full festive costume to deliver gifts as part of their #UnitedinGiving campaign. Colleagues at GXO filled shoeboxes with goodies for our adult patients on the ward.
- John Lewis partners at the Magna Park distribution centre supported our young patients with a huge donation of gifts.
- Colleagues from Connells Group stopped by with gifts for children spending time in hospital over the Christmas period.
- Addition+ visited with a special delivery of gifts for all (it’s their annual giving back Christmas tradition!)
- TXP stopped by with a generous and thoughtful selection of gifts for our children’s wards.
- Mastercard visited with a special delivery of gifts for children spending time in hospital over the Christmas period.
- Customers and staff at the The Betsey Wynne donated a huge bundle of toys and gifts to the children’s emergency department (ED) at MKUH
- The Tawny Owl pub’s staff and customers raised funds and also donated gifts for young patients.
- East West Rail supported our adult patients with a huge selection of gifts.
- Asian Community Radio shopped and delivered a variety of gifts for patients of all ages.
- Stratos and clients redirected Christmas budgets, sacrificing Christmas gifts and get-togethers in order to raise funds for projects to enhance experiences for our dementia patients here at MKUH.
- Cisco connected children to Santa with a live virtual call all the way from the North Pole while a trusted team of elves handed out gifts in person!
- Rent Connect supported our adult patients with a thoughtful selection of gifts including puzzle and colouring books.
- Staff and customers of Tesco Kingston and Tesco Wolverton donated a delightful selection of gifts for patients on the children’s wards
- Boeing stopped by with a huge donation of selection boxes for distribution across our paediatric departments.
- Ellucian prepared individual gift bags for adult patients – each bag containing thoughtful gifts such as puzzle books and biscuits.
- MKUH’s on-site contractors Morgan Sindall delivered bundles of toys and gifts to the children’s wards
- Staff and Customers from The Cricketers pub donated gifts for our young patients on wards 4 and 5.
- Leighton Rose Care Home popped in with a beautiful selection of “twiddle muffs” for use on our adult wards.
- DNata supported our young patients with beautifully wrapped gifts that were distributed to patients on wards 4 and 5.
- Engenius Tuition popped over to MKUH to deliver a wonderful selection of gifts for our young patients at MKUH.
- Former patient and regular supporter Alice Lambe ran her annual GCSE Maths revision programme with 100% of fees donated to our Cancer Centre fund raising an incredible £1243!
- Flexzo donated supplies for our “tuff trays.” Tuff Trays are used on our Children’s Wards for messy and creative play.
Schools, community groups & charity partners show love for MKUH
- Dawn and the Henry Allen Trust team brought stockings and selection boxes, on Christmas Day and arranged for a “naughty” Elf on the Shelf to visit both our children’s wards and children’s ED.
- UCKG HelpCentre gave many gifts for patients and staff
- Emily’s Star donated Christmas Eve boxes for families on the Neonatal Unit, each containing sweet treats, cuddly toys, sensory items, and more
- Samuel’s Charity wanted to bring hope and joy to children staying in MKUH’s children’s wards over Christmas by donating a large number of toys and gifts
- Regular charity supporter Peaches Goyen, in conjunction with Children’s Hospital Pyjamas, donated pyjamas for young and adult patients at MKUH.
- Student Leaders from St Paul’s Catholic School presented an enormous collection of gifts for both young and elderly patients
- The Redway Runners who have chosen Milton Keynes Hospital Charity as their 2025-2026 Charity of the Year held their annual “Santa Saunter” and our charity mascot Leo the Lion was there to join in with all of the fun and came away with his very first medal!
- Two fabulous choirs Musica Charity Choir and TGI Choir held fabulous fundraising concerts on our behalf.
- Students from Priory Rise School visited MKUH with gifts for young patients and asked staff from our children’s wards some fantastic questions about what Christmas Day is like for patients at MKUH.
- Total Intimacy Church not only supported Milton Keynes Hospital Charity during our MK Dons Takeover Day but also presented our young patients with a beautiful hamper of gifts.
- Ailsa’s Aim popped in with a lovely selection of gifts for our young patients.
- Macintyre, in association with EMW Law and Approved Business Finance Ltd, set up two beautiful “Giving Trees” at their cafe in Great Holm and at their offices in Seebeck House. They collected so many gifts all of which brought a huge amount of comfort to patients and families over the Christmas period.
- MK Dons Supporters Association set up donation points during the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity MK Dons Takeover Day and delivered them to MKUH to be handed out to children over the festive period.
Families and Individuals show love for MKUH
- Regular supporter Lola Goyen donated an amazing collection of arts and crafts supplies for our young patients spending time in hospital this Christmas – helping to brighten their days and spark creativity during their stay.
- Khimaya, Khushi and Mum Kajal had been busy baking delicious treats and running cake sales throughout 2025 in order to raise money to buy gifts for children spending Christmas in hospital. Judging by the number of toys they were able to buy, those cakes must’ve been delicious!
- Regular supporter Daniel James visited on Christmas Eve with a lovely selection of gifts for our paediatric departments.
- Regular supporter David Ashford donated Christmas themed teddy bears to take his donation of soft toys donated to MKUH throughout 2025 to over 1200!!! David also prepared individual gift bags for our adult patients including books written by David himself!
Dedicated #TeamMKUH Staff and Volunteers
Our super #TeamMKUH colleagues and volunteers supported throughout Christmas by helping to deliver gifts across the hospital and MKUH volunteer Amee Tomkins and her Medical Therapy Dog Belle made special visits to wards on Christmas Day. #TeamMKUH Colleagues Helen and Emma also gave up their lunch hour to perform a very special concert in our MKUH main entrance.
Please note: Every effort has been made to acknowledge and include all supporters of Milton Keynes Hospital Charity and MKUH during Christmas. If we have unintentionally missed anyone, we sincerely apologise! Please don’t hesitate to email us and we’ll make sure you are added promptly! 😊
