CREWE Alex players and Nantwich shoppers helped put a smile on the faces of nursing staff and sick children at Christmas.

The bakery and contact centre were among businesses thanked for their donations to the Child and Adolescent Unit at Leighton Hospital over the festive period.

Roberts Bakery provided staff on the children’s ward with festive gingerbread men.

Barclays staff raised money for the hospital’s charity throughout 2016, and contact centre staff visited the hospital in fancy dress over Christmas to present a cheque and deliver presents to children.

Staff from Morrison Manufacturing in Winsford visited the hospital to present 25 giant teddy bears and a number of small ones, as well as cases of wine donated by staff.

Some of the bears were given to the children’s ward, and the others will be used as raffle prizes to help raise money for a dementia-friendly garden.

Customers of Sainsbury’s and Argos in Nantwich donated 200 toys to children staying at the hospital over Christmas.

Banks Sheridan, an accountancy and tax practice in Crewe, provided gifts for children collected by the company, and Cheshire West and Chester highways and its highways contractor, Ringway, donated chocolates and treats to the children’s ward.

The Elderly Christmas Shoebox appeal collected shoeboxes full of gifts from the community and delivered 100 boxes to wards in Leighton Hospital, including the Care of the Elderly ward.

Crewe Alex FC players visited the Child and Adolescent Unit to meet patients and donated presents on behalf of the club.

Laura Riddle, Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity manager, said: “I’d like to thank everybody who has helped make these donations possible.

“Staff working over Christmas ensured all the donations were used to benefit those patients who were in hospital. The gifts go a long way in helping to make their hospital experience as positive as possible.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Trust and the charity over the past 12 months. Their donations, gifts and events, however big or small, have made a difference and will continue to do so for years to come.”