They are our real-life angels, the nurses who sacrifice their own family celebrations to make sure kids too poorly to leave hospital are cared for on Christmas Day.
Here, some of those who will be on duty tomorrow tell how they make sure their patients and their families have the best day possible, delivering some magic in often heartbreaking circumstances.
Aisling Weir, 30, theatre nurse at Royal Belfast Hospital
She says: “I work in theatre, so it is emergencies, but if we aren’t busy I will be helping out on the ward.
“The atmosphere is so lovely – we have Christmas music on and get a Santa in, and children that aren’t fasting can have treats.
"The kids are so resilient and even though some of them have been here for weeks they get so excited about Christmas. It really is the most rewarding job in the world.
“This is my third Christmas Day in a row. I volunteered because I don’t have kids yet so I’d rather let colleagues have time with their children and then when I do, the favour will be returned.”
Senior staff nurse Emma Nicholas, 32, works with cancer patients aged one to 16 at Royal Marsden Hospital, London.
She says: “None of the patients or the families want to be here for Christmas so we try to make it as fun for as possible.
“All the doctors and nurses dress up, we have gifts for the children and their siblings and lots of nice food.
"Christmas here is a really lovely atmosphere – we try to send as many patients home as possible but if they can’t go home then we try to make it special for them here.
“If you can’t be with your own family on Christmas Day then being here is probably the next best thing.”
Vicky Miller, 28, staff nurse at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
She says: “On Christmas Day, we try and make sure as many children as possible can spend the day at home.
“Working over Christmas can be
challenging but when it’s such a nice time of year and everyone’s in a happy mood, it makes it much easier.
“I’ve worked here for seven years and one of my favourite shifts was on Christmas Eve, when we helped Santa give out presents.
“Staff usually bring in food and we have a bit of a buffet and play Christmas music. This year I’m on the night shift on Christmas Day, so I’ll be getting as much sleep as I can in the morning.
"And I still get to have Christmas dinner with my family, which is good as that’s the best bit. It can be hard being away from family but they understand and it’s all part of the job.”
Lauren Marks, 26, staff nurse at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh
She says: “This year, my Christmas Day shift starts at 7.30am so I hope to see presents being opened.
“This will be my first Christmas in Edinburgh, the first time I’ve worked on Christmas Day and my first Christmas away from my family, so it will feel strange.
“I’ve been at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children for eight months and before that I worked at a children’s hospital in Cardiff, where my family live.
“In Cardiff, I did a Christmas Eve night shift, when there was a really nice atmosphere. I’m looking forward to seeing my family in Cardiff on Boxing Day.”
Charlotte Twigdon-Williams, 25, is a nurse on the Fox Ward at London’s Great Ormond Street which cares for kids with conditions including blood disorders, cancer, leukaemia and immune issues.
She says: “The atmosphere on the ward is cheery and festive. The children get presents from their families and staff dress up.
"The first year I qualified I found it hard to be away from my family but it helps that Fox Ward is such a close team. We get amazing support from the public through GOSH Charity’s Stocking Appeal.
“It’s special to know people are making donations to support the children, some of whom are a long way from home here.”
Jenifer Munro, 22, nurse on Great Ormond Street’s Pelican ward, for joint and muscle issues
She says: “This is my first Christmas as a qualified nurse at GOSH and I’m looking forward to it.
"As a student, you tend to work shifts before and after Christmas Day so you never get to be with the children when they open their presents. I’m really looking forward to seeing that side of it.
"There will be presents from Santa and a special Christmas dinner.”
Mandy Chillingworth, ward manager on the children’s unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital in Lancashire
She says: “Children and families unfortunately sometimes find themselves on the children’s unit on Christmas day.
“This can become a lifelong memory for parents and the children if they are old enough to remember the experience. We strive to make their memories as good as can be, given the circumstances.
“Of course, we ourselves are also away from our families and loved ones, so it is even more important to make the day as special as we can.”
Her colleague, sister Victoria Ketland, is on duty this Christmas and adds: “There is a great sense of family between the staff on Christmas day. We become each other’s family, including the children and their loved ones.
"We play music, wear tinsel in our hair and keep smiling. The kids wake to the magic of Santa knowing where they are and leaving them a gift.
“When dinner is served, staff will also have Christmas food together. We just try to keep the magic alive
for everyone.”
