Local schoolchildren have been bringing festive cheer to our hospitals while raising money for the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity, by singing around our Christmas tree.

The choir from Southwood Primary School in Dagenham (above) was singing by the tree outside Queen’s Hospital on Wednesday 11 December, raising over £233.

The children, aged from nine to 11, sang songs including Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Jingle Bells.

Hannah Herbert, head of music at the school, said:

The choir has been together for about 18 months. We came to the hospital last year and it was our first community event.

We got a really good response. It was lovely to see people stopping and listening; you don’t know why they are at the hospital, but it brings them a bit of Christmas joy. It’s important at this time of year that the children have a sense of giving something back. They could see it was worthwhile.

They’ve worked really hard on these songs, giving up their lunchtimes to learn them and practicing at home. They had lots of dance moves to learn as well.

Local school choirs from; Drapers’ Maylands, Romford, Redbridge Primary, Woodlands School, Ilford, Leys Primary, Dagenham, and Harrow Lodge Primary, Hornchurch; have raised £1,050 so far, with lots more choirs still to visit both Queen’s and King George hospitals throughout the month.

Our children’s ward at Queen’s Hospital also got a musical visit when staff from Focus Music School (above), Collier Row, came on Tuesday 10 December to get young patients involved in a music session, playing Christmas songs.

They also brought along gifts donated by local businesses in Romford and Hornchurch.

Caroline Jenkins, health play specialist, said: “Focus Music coming in helped lift the mood and take the scariness out of being in hospital for our youngest patients. The music session brightened up everyone’s day – even the staff were dancing around!”

Chris Hatwell, director and co-founder, added: “Before starting the school, we knew we wanted to work with our community, and we’re honoured for this to be our first of many community projects.”

Chris runs the school with co-founder and fellow director Liam Hughes.

They have also opened a Go Fund Me page to raise further funds for our charity, you can donate online until the end of December.