Staff at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust have got into the Christmas spirit by taking part in the Mansfield Homeless Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

The team on Ward 22 at King’s Mill Hospital, which includes, the Gastro ward, nurses, carers, domestic support staff and the Medical Equipment Management Department, have worked hard since October putting together 30 present filled shoeboxes to give to the local charity behind the appeal.

After seeing the shoebox appeal on social media, Staff Nurse Lisa Sollis, wanted to get involved with the cause and encouraged her colleagues to take part by forgoing their usual team secret Santa and donating gifts for the shoeboxes instead.

The team all got behind the idea and worked together to make the shoe boxes, which will go to homeless women, men and dogs in the area.

Lisa said: “Rather than sending gifts to each other at our staff Secret Santa we decided to do something to help people feel special this Christmas. We know that sleeping rough is difficult no matter what time of year, but especially so in the cold winter months, so we wanted to do something to at least put a smile on peoples’ faces during the festive season.”

If you want to get involved with the Shoebox Appeal, you can still send your boxed Christmas gifts to one of the drop off points across Nottinghamshire.

For more information about what to put in the boxes, or where the nearest drop off point is, go to www.facebook.com/mansfieldhomelessshoeboxappeal and @mansfieldhomelessshoeboxappeal