Staff in the Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Newcastle Hospice gardens transformed into Winter Wonderland by staff spreading festive cheer

by · ChronicleLive

See photos of the magical Winter Wonderland display transforming the gardens at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle this Christmas. Over the festive season, the team of staff at Marie Curie Hospice have continued bringing care, comfort and joy to patients at the end of life and their families.

And this year the annual outdoor display is complete with Santa’s workshop, Santa’s sleigh and a replica of the iconic Coca Cola Christmas Truck and was built by Maintenance Supervisor, Shaun Evans, and his team. Shaun, from Consett, has been responsible for building and organising the Winter Wonderland at the Marie Curie Hospice for more than a decade.

He said: "I started employment in 2013 and that Christmas we had one small tree and a couple of hanging decorations around our greenhouse in the rear garden. I felt we could do a little more to make the garden more colourful and festive for our patients.

"So, together with my maintenance team, we decided to change this, and we immediately started to plan for the following year’s festivities. Initially we added more hanging decorations around the greenhouse and also to the band stand. We also added some Christmas decorations to the ground which added instant colour to the garden. The following year we went a little bigger and began to make our own larger items like the Christmas train and an igloo for our North Pole scene.

"The feedback we received from our patients, families and staff was fantastic, so from that year the bar was set for future displays. It has gradually become bigger and brighter year after year, and I expect this to continue into the distant future."

This year, Shaun and his team have built a bespoke replica of the Coca Cola Christmas truck. Drawing the design onto plywood begore being cut, assembled and painted. "A local car breaker yard kindly donated the wheels which we used to make the chassis. It took around three weeks to complete due to the inclement weather we get in the North East but as always, it was a pleasure to create.

"We also had help from other departments who did some painting, which was fantastic as we don't usually get to spend a lot of time with some of the other members of staff. It was a good hospice team effort all round. The patients and their families have again commented how stunning the gardens look and said how important it is for them to have some festive spirit in the hospice."

Looking ahead, Shaun said: "We will start planning next year's garden around May when the weather is a bit warmer and we will decide what can be achieved by the end of November for the display. Watch this space!"

Each inpatient room at the hospice looks out into the garden, giving patients a front-row view of the festive scene. One patient has enjoyed looking out at the lights with her family, particularly her grandson who enjoys visiting regularly and told staff that instead of watching TV on an evening, she prefers to look out at the display twinkling in the dark. She said: "It is absolutely beautiful. When I saw the Coca Cola truck, I burst into tears. I had not felt happy in a longtime and this just lifted my mood."

Gill White, Head of Operations at the Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle, said: "Each year, we try to do as much as we can to make sure Christmas is as special as possible for our patients, and their families. The annual festive lights display is always a hit with visitors and patients and this year, Shaun and the team have gone above and beyond with the build of our very own Coca Cola Christmas truck.

"We can’t thank the maintenance team enough for the dedication they show every year to creating this display, and the vital role they play in helping us to bring care, comfort and joy to our patients and their loved ones at this time of year."

Marie Curie provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for loved ones, in the charity’s hospices and in people’s homes. It is the largest charitable funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. To find out more about how Marie Curie gives care, comfort and joy this Christmas and to donate click here.

The Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
A replica Coca Cola Christmas Truck and was built by Maintenance Supervisor, Shaun Evans, and his team for the Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Staff in the Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Gill White, Head of Operations at Marie Curie North East Region.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Staff with Santa’s sleigh in the Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)