Christmas reindeer set to bring smiles to NICU for second year running

Christmas reindeer are set to bring festive cheer for the second year running thanks to a staff member from St Lawrence Academy in Scunthorpe, who has kindly donated special Christmas decorations to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

Academy staff member, Garry Drinkall knows all too well the importance of the ward as his wife, Charlotte Drinkall works as a staff nurse on the unit.

Both Garry and Charlotte wanted to create something difference for NICU’s Christmas tree last year and with the help of the Academy’s laser cutter and a reindeer design created by Garry, they were able to do just that.

The couple designed and made wooden reindeer decorations to be scribed with all the babies’ names that have stayed previously on NICU.

Garry said: “We wanted to help create something more visual so that people who visit the unit are aware of how many babies are treated and cared for.

“My wife and I thought it would be a great idea to create the Christmas reindeer decorations with the school’s specialist equipment and donate them to the unit. Parents whose babies have to stay on NICU can make a small donation to have their baby’s name engraved onto the reindeers and placed on a Christmas tree throughout the Christmas period.”

The NICU Christmas tree will be featured at the Rotary Club of Scunthorpe’s Festival of Christmas Trees’ which will be held at The Old Brumby United Church, Ashby Road, over the second and third weekend of December.

NICU ward manager Sarah Judd said: “We are so grateful for the continued support that both Charlotte and Garry give to the Unit. Last year’s efforts proved a real hit with the parents and it is so lovely to see these wonderful gifts for our babies on the ward.

“We would like to say a special thank you to The St Lawrence Academy for allowing Garry to use their specialist machine.”

If your child has been cared for at Scunthorpe General Hospital’s NICU and you would like your child’s name scribed on a reindeer, please contact or visit the Neonatal Unit Scunthorpe 03033 302314.