Santa, songs and smiles:

Making Christmas memories at St Luke’s

21st July 2026

At the heart of hospice care this Christmas

St Luke’s was overflowing with Christmas spirit last Friday as staff went above and beyond to create a warm and joyful evening for current patients and their loved ones, as well as families who will be missing someone special for the first time this year.

Team members from across our organisation came together, giving up their own time to create a magical occasion featuring sparkling decorations, festive refreshments, Christmas music and live seasonal songs from the Burraton Boys and a raffle with super prizes.

Among our special guests were more than 50 children who had the chance to meet some of our nurses and discover that St Luke’s can be a place to make happy memories.

There was plenty of hands-on fun for all ages to enjoy, from trying their hand at crafts and games like painting festive pebbles, decorating delicious gingerbread men, making bracelets and guessing the name of the bear. The icing on the cake was the chance to visit Santa and his helpers in his grotto to receive a Christmas gift.

Organisers Nikki, Kim, Rachel, Michelle, Denise, Sue and Debbie, supported by a wonderful host of fellow staff members, are thrilled that the evening was such a success, not only spreading a little Christmas cheer, but also raising £700 to go towards patient and family care.

Huge thanks to the kind businesses and groups in the community who helped make the event possible: Endsleigh Garden Centre (Blue Diamond) for prizes and gifts, Dale and Ryan at TEC Construction, ArmadaCon, Burraton Boys and local branches of Tesco.

Kim and Nikki said: “We couldn’t have done it without their generosity, and the time given freely by everyone who turned out to help from across the organisation. It was wonderful to see the smiles on the children’s faces.”

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