Help paramedics put smiles on children’s faces with presents this Christmas

A team of ambulance crews at London Ambulance Service are calling on Londoners to help spread some festive cheer by donating presents to sick children this Christmas.

All the gifts donated to ambulance stations around the capital will be delivered to children at hospitals, hospices and refuges across the capital in the lead up to Christmas Day.

In 2009, father-of-three and Paramedic Nigel Flanagan set up Operation Christmas Present to help tackle isolation amongst children who are in hospital during the festive season and ensure they can wake up to a present despite being away from home on Christmas Day.

Since then, Nigel and his team of elves across London Ambulance Service have made sure that presents are delivered to hospitals, hospices and refuges so that children can still experience the joy of receiving a gift at Christmas. Nigel and his team have delivered over 30,000 presents so far and visited more than 400 hospitals, children’s A&E departments, and women and children’s refuges.

Paramedic and Chief Elf Nigel Flanagan said: “15 years ago my goal was to put a smile on a child’s face over Christmas.

“It’s truly amazing to see how Operation Christmas Present has grown and the thousands of lives we have touched with Christmas magic throughout London.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without my kind colleagues and elves who have helped me each year. Together we have delivered tens of thousands of presents to hospitals, children’s hospices, social services, women’s and children domestic abuse housing and refugee housing.

“We know that money is tight for lots of families, but if people have a gift to spare then you can help us spread some joy for children this Christmas.”

What the elves are asking for:

Presents for children aged 0-16

New items only: nothing pre-loved or second hand

No cuddly toys due to infection risks

Presents need to be wrapped, with a label on the outside detailing what is inside and what age and gender the gift is suitable for. This is to ensure that ambulance crews can match the right present with the right child. Operation Christmas Present also warmly welcomes gifts suitable for children between 14 and 16 years old.

Please drop your present off at your nearest ambulance station – listed below – by Friday 20 December.

Barking 111 Centre: Maritime House, Linton Road, Barking, IG11 8HG

Barnhurst: 164 Erith Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 6BZ

Brentford Education Centre: Unit 4 – Brentside Executive Park, Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9DR

Brixton: Unit 25 Bessemer Park, 250 Milkwood Road, London SE24 0HG

Bromley: Crown Lane, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9PW

Coulsdon: Unit 21, Ullswater Crescent, Coulsdon, CR5 2HR

Croydon 111 Centre: Southern House, Wellesley Grove, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1XG

Croydon: 168 Primrose Lane, Croydon, CR0 8YY

Dockside Education Centre: 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU

Fulham: 150 Seagrave Road, London, SW6 1RX

Greenwich: 392 Shooters Hill Road, London, SE18 4LP

Homerton: 126 Homerton High Street, London, E9 6JA

New Addington: Lodge Lane, New Addington, Croydon, CR0 0QA

Oval: Foxley Road, London, SW9 6ES

South Croydon: 123 Waddon Way, South Croydon, CR0 6MD

St Helier: Bishopsford Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 6BN

St Pauls Cray: Chipperfield Road, St Pauls Cray, Kent, BR5 2PZ

Streatham: Mountearl Gardens, London, SW16 2NN

Waterloo: 2 Frazier Street, London, SE1 8SD

Whips Cross: James Lane, London, E11 1NU

Wimbledon: Nursery Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4JA

Woolwich: Ferry Approach, London, SE18 6DP