One of the region’s award-winning stars joined forces with Father Christmas to help put smiles on the faces of hospital patients this year.
Eight-year-old Sofia Honey Adcock, of Costessey, won Young Person of the Year at the EDP’s Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards 2022.
And acting as Mr Claus’s very special helper, the youngster donated chocolate and toys to the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
With her mother, Sammy Adcock, she delivered more than 100 selection boxes and 'bravery' boxes to the children’s hospital on Wednesday, December 21 and came back again two days later to deliver more.
The bravery boxes contain toys and activities suitable for all age ranges, from babies to teenagers, and were distributed on Christmas Day.
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Sofia was treated for leukaemia in the Jenny Lind and wanted to raise money to buy toys and activities for inpatients because, when she was in the hospital, she could not play with any of the toys.
She said: “When I came into hospital for my cancer treatment all the toys were for babies, and I didn’t want to play with them.
“These boxes are filled with Fidgets, Uno, colouring books and little bits and bobs, stuff they can just keep doing at any time of the day.”
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Sofia is also one of the hospital’s Community Champions, and her mum raised more than £7,000 by turning her celebratory cancer party into a fundraising opportunity.
The pair were joined by Morgan Lewis, from Attleborough cakery, Bakeaholics, who was a patient at the hospital as a child.
He said: “I was in and out of the Jenny Lind a lot as a child and have never been able to come back until now, to say thank you and to be involved in this.”
Sammy added: “I am immensely proud of Sofia Honey and I remain eternally grateful to the hospital and know how hard it is for these youngsters to be in hospital away from their families on Christmas Day. It is lovely to be able to spread a little joy.”
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