A HOUSEBUILDER has brought a little Christmas cheer to children in hospital.

The gifts from Barratt Homes were delivered by Santa to young patients at the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

They presents were collected at The Limes development in Coxhoe, and Mandale Park development inThornaby-on-Tees, topped up by £500 worth of gifts donated by the company itself.

Ward manager Lesley Hamilton said: “We are always very grateful when companies and people from the local community find the time to try and make a difference in these children’s lives, especially around Christmas, which is such an important time.

“The children were thrilled to meet Santa and receive lots of fantastic gifts.

“This will have definitely come as a welcome distraction to being in hospital at this time of year.”

Fenton Hewitt, sales director at Barratt Homes North East, added: “The work that is done at the Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman Hospital is inspirational and we feel honoured to be able to give presents to some of the region’s most poorly children.

“We’d also like to thank Santa for helping us deliver the presents and hope they will go some way to ensuring the children have a Merry Christmas.”

The Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman Hospital, which is based on Freeman Road, provides care for children up to 18 years old who require medical or surgical help for conditions involving the heart, lungs and airways. It is also one of only two places in the UK to carry out children’s heart and lung transplants.