A youth band is set to bring festive cheer to Hull Royal Infirmary this week to help staff raising funds for sick children.

The Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade(CLB) band from St Mary’s Church in Beverley will play Christmas carols outside the tower block as relatives and friends arrive to visit loved ones in hospital on Thursday, December 13, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

Paediatric nurses and health care professionals caring for our youngest patients will be alongside the band with collection tins to help with their fundraising efforts to refurbish the children’s wards.

Junior sister Helen Lyon said: “We are very grateful to the young people from CLB for helping us and bringing joy to staff and patients.

“It’s a difficult time for anyone to be in hospital and we’re so pleased they will be getting us, our patients and visitors in the festive mood.

“We hope the public will support our efforts with the refurbishment of the children’s wards so we can put a smile on our younger patients all year round.”

The paediatric department, which includes Acorn Ward in Hull Women and Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric High Dependency Unit and Ward 130 West, has received some funding as part of the trust’s newly developed Arts Strategy.

Woodwork has been painted in calming blue and pastel colours and cubicles decorated with artwork including dolphins and penguin transfers to reflect the city’s fishing history and the success of The Deep. Those cubicles used by older children will also have sunflowers and trees incorporated into the design.

Cubicles used to look after children with cancer and long-term conditions will also be fitted with entertainment systems featuring TVs, DVDs and games consoles after the ward received funding from children’s charity Candle-lighters.

The playroom is also being decorated and the clinical room where children undergo procedures is also going to be refurbished over the coming months.

Staff are also asking the public to support their fundraising instead of bringing toys and selection boxes onto the wards this year. A£5 donation could help buy a wall sticker to decorating cubicles, corridors, bays and the Ward 130 playroom in sea themes.

Anyone who would like to help us can send cheques, made out to the WISHH Charity and send them to Helen Lyon, Junior Sister, Ward 130, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 1JZ. They can also make a donation to the WISHH Charity through www.justgiving.com/wishh, marking your donation WALLSTICKERS.