KIND-hearted teenagers have brought festive cheer to a hospital ward for patients receiving rehabilitation after strokes or a fall.

Year-eight students from Thirsk School delivered cards to the Rutson ward at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, and chatted to patients currently in the hospital.

Teacher Emma Dinsdale said: “One of my pupils Hollie Kitchener suggested we do this and I thought it was a lovely idea.

“It’s just a simple way of giving something back to the local community and we were all happy to get involved.”

Patient David Bielby said: “It was a wonderful surprise, a great idea, and it should be done more often.”

Another patient Kath Walker added: “It’s brilliant and lovely – the first card I’d had this year.

“It’s so nice for the patients and I’m sure they’ll appreciate it – I know I have.”

The remaining cards were distributed by the staff on Christmas Day to patients who had to stay in hospital.

Hollie, who was joined by three of her classmates, Corey Twinn, Chloe Waterworth and Sebastian Rock, said: “We just wanted to make them happy and let the patients know someone else is thinking about them.”

Hollie’s mum Sue Kitchener added: “My daughter came up with the idea at school and I am so proud.

“More young people should stop and think of others as a little act of kindness that takes a small part of your day can bring a smile to someone’s face for a long time and you probably don’t realise what an imprint you have left.”