Trust aims to collect 900 presents in Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Christmas Gift Appeal

20 November 2025

The Royal Berkshire Hospital’s voluntary services team has launched its annual Christmas Gift Tree Appeal, with the goal of 900 presents to ensure that every patient has a gift to wake up to on Christmas morning.

Spending Christmas in hospital can be difficult for those patients without family or friends nearby and these gifts make a huge difference.

To make donating easily, our team of partner local organisations to set-up twelve collection points across the area, as well as an Amazon Wishlist for gifts to be delivered directly to the hospital.

Drop off points

Royal Berkshire Hospital Main Reception, Level 2, Craven Road, RG1 5LE.

Libraries: Lower Earley, Caversham, Woodley, Pangbourne, Theale

Link Café, 28 School Road, Tilehurst, RG31 5AN.

Rivermead Leisure Centre

Palmer Park Leisure Centre

Meadway Leisure Centre

South Reading Leisure Centre

The Works, Broad Street Mall, Reading Town Centre

Amazon Wishlist

The wishlist has lots of items on it for patients to enjoy, and range in price from just a couple of pounds and can be delivered direct to the hospital.

To allow volunteers time to sort, wrap and deliver presents to wards, donations should be unwrapped and received by Monday 15 December.  

Sukhi Sidhu, the Trust's Voluntary Services Manager, said: “Last year we had our best year ever with over 1,200 gifts donated, and every time I’m humbled in seeing the generosity of our community. Our annual ‘Gift Tree’ is a wonderful opportunity for people to help us make our patients’ Christmas Day a festive one.

“We’re aiming to ensure that every patient staying with us over Christmas receives a present, and we hope our amazing local residents and businesses will help support us again as they have done so brilliantly before.”

For gift ideas

For older patients: toiletries, puzzle books, jigsaws, books, chocolates or biscuits, scarves, hats and gloves.

For younger patients: Toys, books or colouring books and crayons/pencils/colouring pens.

If you would like more information about the appeal, please contact the Voluntary Services Team:

Tel: 0118 322 8396

Email: voluntary.services@royalberkshire.nhs.uk