Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) is delighted to announce a new festive partnership with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity, bringing sparkle, joy, and Christmas magic to both the city centre and to children who need care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital over the festive season.
Each year, Worcester BID transforms businesses across the city with enchanting window art created by local Worcester BID artist Catt Standen, helping to make Worcester one of the most festive destinations to shop, eat and explore. This December, Worcester BID is extending that magic even further by adding bespoke Christmas window illustrations to the children’s emergency department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, bringing creativity, and festive cheer to young patients who need urgent care at Christmas.
As part of this collaboration, Worcester BID is also launching its Under the Tree Campaign on 1 December. City centre businesses are invited to skip the traditional Secret Santa in favour of donating a meaningful, much-needed gift to bring joy to a child or family at the hospital. All donated gifts will be delivered directly to the hospital by Worcester BID’s Safe Space team, accompanied by some very special and much-loved Christmas characters.
Sam McCarthy, Chief Executive, Worcester BID, “Worcester is a city full of heart, and this partnership reflects exactly that. Each year our festive window art brings smiles to businesses and shoppers across the city, and extending that magic to the children’s emergency department felt like a natural and meaningful next step. Through our Under the Tree Campaign, we hope to channel the generosity of local businesses into something that makes a real difference to families during what can be a difficult time. We’re incredibly proud to work with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to spread joy where it’s needed most.”
Abbey Tocchini, Projects & Communications Manager, Worcester BID, “This collaboration captures the true spirit of Christmas: community, compassion, and coming together to lift one another up. Adding festive artwork to the children’s emergency department is our way of bringing warmth and imagination to young patients, and the Under the Tree gifts will help make the season brighter for families spending Christmas in hospital. We’ve already seen such enthusiasm from local businesses, and we can’t wait to deliver the gifts with our Safe Space team and some magical Christmas characters.”
Laura Gregory, Community and Events Fundraising Officer, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity, “We are delighted that Worcester BID has chosen to partner with us on such a heart warming initiative. For many families, spending time in hospital over the festive season can be difficult. The festive artwork throughout our paediatric emergency department will provide a welcome distraction for young patients and their families while they receive treatment. Our children and families on Riverbank Children’s Ward will also love the visit from the Worcester BID Safe Space team and the ‘Under the Tree’ gift donations – helping to spread festive cheer and joy at a time when they need it most.”