Christmas Grotto

This year we would like to welcome you to our Christmas Grotto at Lister Hospital in Stevenage to deliver donated toys for poorly children staying on our wards over the festive season.

Our Christmas Grotto will run from Tuesday 12th December through to Thursday 14th December, with 6 slots available on each day from 09:30am to 4:00pm.

Please ensure gifts are:

• Brand new and in original packaging (unfortunately we cannot accept second hand toys)
• Individual presents that can be taken home by a child
• Appropriate for children from 0-16 years
• Non-perishable (no food or confectionary)
• Unwrapped, rolls of wrapping paper are gratefully received alongside donations

How to make a cash donation or post a gift instead

If you would like to support our children's ward but can't make our Christmas grotto you can donate via our Amazon Wishlist where presents will be delivered to the charity to take to the ward and spread some joy to patients. 

Alternatively you can donate to the Magic of Play team and we can use your kind donations towards toys, games, consoles, iPads and other much needed items to entertain and distract children whilst they are in hospital. Please CLICK HERE to donate. 

How to book a Santa's Grotto visit

At the bottom of this page you will find a number of appointment slots to come and visit our grotto. Unfortunately these are the only appointments we will be able to offer this year. They will be allocated on a first come-first served basis so please book quickly before they go. Please arrive promptly at the time of your scheduled visit to allow for the smooth running of the grotto.

We will only be able to invite a maximum of 6 visitors per slot to deliver Christmas gifts and get a picture with our paediatric team if available.

Details concerning the location of the Grotto within Lister Hospital will be sent out to visitors closer to the event.

Important info

Before you visit our Christmas Grotto please complete our Gift in Kind form so that we can keep a record of your kind donations.

Friendly reminder: Please do not come onto site if you have had any recent flu-like symptoms or Covid-19 symptoms and please do not visit the hospital site unannounced with gifts if you haven't booked an appointment slot.