Staff at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) are appealing for donations of hats, scarves and gloves for patients leaving the hospital during the coldest months.

Inspired by 2018’s campaign to Keep Bristol Warm, in which clothing items were tied to trees for homeless people, the Trust plans to make the cold weather items available to anyone who needs them when leaving the hospital. Donated items will be kept in a box in the hospital’s atrium so they’re available to patients on their way out of hospital. The scheme will then run every year, from the start of December to the end of March.

Many patients come into the hospital with only the clothes they’re wearing. If they’re discharged during a cold snap and don’t have family or friends to bring them warm items, this resource could be the difference between continued recovery or relapsing.

Fiona Hoskins, Deputy Director of Nursing at RBCH, who came up with the idea, said: “We often have vulnerable people passing through our doors and the weather can be so bitter. Being able to take something to keep warm, with no strings attached, could make more of a difference to someone than we know. If you have any items you can spare – an old hat and scarf set that’s been superseded by a Christmas present, perhaps – they’d be so gratefully received.”

If you’d like to donate, please bring your washed items to the enquiries desk at the main entrance of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.