This is how you can donate Christmas presents to Sheffield Children's Hospital

In a message posted to Facebook, the charity stated that all toys and play equipment which are donated to patients must be new and in a clean and safe condition.

Gifts should also be complete, without any missing parts and in their original packaging, rather than wrapping paper which will have to be removed before it is given to the recipient.

Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS and Charity urged supporters thinking of donating items to consider not giving chocolate related gifts as many patients are unable to eat it.

The charity wrote: “As the festive season approaches, we’ll be doing all we can to make sure everyone at Sheffield Children’s can enjoy themselves and we know that our supporters like to help with that too!

“If you are thinking of giving something to the children staying at Sheffield Children’s over Christmas, or supported by our teams in the community, then there are just a few important things to remember: All donated toys, gifts and play equipment must be new.

"It must be clean, safe, suitable and complete, in their original packaging and not in wrapping paper (we’d have to unwrap it and we don’t want to waste your lovely wrapping!)

“Lots of our patients will not be able to eat chocolate so please bear this in mind.”

The hospital encouraged people to arrange a time to drop off Christmas gifts with a member of staff beforehand, instead of turning up with gifts, as a safety precaution.

“Bringing in any donations will need to be arranged with a member of the team who will be able to give you information on where to meet, to ensure the safety of everyone during this time”, the charity said.

"Please do not arrive at the Trust without talking to a member of the team and arranging beforehand.

“Thank you so much to everyone thinking of our patients, staff and families this Christmas.

"You are amazing!”

To organise a time and date to drop off presents, visit Sheffield Children’s website or email [email protected].

People can also organise donations for hospital staff by contacting [email protected].

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