More than 130 Chocolate Oranges have been donated to staff in the emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in memory of a little boy, Elliot Lamb, who tragically died just before Christmas seven years ago.
The mountain of treats were collected by staff at Blackpool’s Warbreck House, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), who wanted to support the campaign started by their colleague, Elliot’s dad, Chris Lamb.
The collection of chocolate oranges started when Chris brought the sweet treat for one of the physiotherapists as a thank you when Elliot was in hospital at Alder Hey. Word got around and Chris ended up buying more and more oranges every time Elliot was in hospital.
Now this has become a tradition among workers at the DWP nationally to buy chocolate oranges to say thank you to hospital staff.
DWP Business Support Manager, Ellie Emmett said “This is the first year Blackpool has been involved in this campaign and staff brought in 134 chocolate oranges in just a couple of weeks.
“As an organisation we feel very strongly about thanking the hospital and its staff for the dedication they show and the way they support the whole of our community.”
Matron for A&E, Sue Roberts, said: “We are very honoured to be selected to receive this donation and I know our staff will appreciate this gesture. It is amazing how kind people are at this time of you and their appreciation lifts spirits within the department.”