IN RECENT weeks, Hannah Barrett has been doing Croydon proud, showing off her incredible voice and prodigious talent on the X Factor.
So there was something of a homecoming feel as, on Tuesday, the 17-year-old met nurses and children at Croydon University Hospital, to hand over the proceeds from our annual Toys for Joy appeal.
Hannah made a big impression on all those she met, though big wasn't the word on Shernell Worrell's mind.
"She looks shorter than on TV," she laughed.
Shernell's teenage son, Ternel White, was recovering in the hospital's children's ward, after an operation the previous day.
The pair were among many excited by the arrival of Hannah and our regular helpers, the Fairfield Halls panto stars, as toys donated by Advertiser readers and Croydon businesses were given to children in the hospital's Rupert Bear and Dolphin wards.
Carla Haslock's little boy Will, aged 22 months, had been in hospital for three days after suffering problems with his breathing. He was the first to be handed a gift by Hannah.
Afterwards, his mum said: "Hopefully we will be home for Christmas, but the care we've received every time we've come here has been fantastic.
"There's been a real buzz since yesterday in the hospital with people saying 'oooh, look who's coming in'. It's lovely."
Ava Brown, from Broad Green, was excited to meet the stars – but was also nursing her two-year-old son, Mikhel, after a serious operation.
Mikhel suffers from a rare condition which can, at times, cause him to temporarily stop breathing.
Having had a procedure on his tonsils which doctors hope will solve the problem, he was being cradled to sleep by his mother as we visited.
Speaking about her lad's condition, Ava said: "It affects the whole family, because we have to be alert to wake him up if he stops breathing.
"He is very brave, but no parent wants to see their child like this."
On the festive period ahead, the mother-of-two added: "Christmas is going to be different this year because we can't have a lot of people around, as he needs to recover."
The nurses on duty were pleased to see the showbiz visitors spreading a little festive cheer at the hospital.
Florence Kadumba, lead nurse on the Rupert Bear ward, also spoke about how the ward operates on Christmas Day.
Of the number of patients likely to be on the ward, she said: "It varies, could be anywhere from five to 20. It's just like any other day really.
"We do make an effort. We have balloons, decorations; we try to make it feel like Christmas for those who are missing home.
"We try to make it special for them."
Panto dame Quinn Patrick is something of a regular visitor to the hospital, this year making his third successive visit supporting our Toys for Joy campaign.
"I think this is absolutely one of the highlights of doing the panto. We're so lucky to get to come here for half an hour and give out presents," he said.
"But we should also remember the doctors and nurses, who are here every day. We come in at Christmas and give a bit of cheer, but they are giving cheer all year round."
If Hannah was recognisable, then it was hard to miss Quinn – a grown man dressed as a great big woman.
Reaction
On the reaction to his panto costume, he added: "The small children I'm very wary of – it's sometimes a bit much.
"But as soon as they realise it's all very friendly and fun, you can win them over."
For Hannah Barrett, it was a chance to meet some of the fans who supported her through her X Factor journey, but also an opportunity to give something back to the community that supported her.
Hannah, of South Norwood, said: "It feels good to be back. Even though I live back here now, I'm hardly here.
"It feels good to come to the hospital, and say hi to everyone and give out presents.
"People need to realise that not many of these kids get a chance to even watch TV because they are ill; they can't go to concerts and things like that. For us to go out of way, including the panto stars, to say hi to them is nice.
"I met lots of people who voted for me, which was lovely. I get a lot of 'oh, I hope you're paying my phone bill'."
Hannah has a busy Christmas ahead, including a gig with fellow X Factor finalists and Croydon boys Rough Copy at Fairfield Halls on December 30.
But she'll at least get Christmas Day off – and is getting prepared for a festive feast.
Hannah added: "I'm staying with my mummy for Christmas. She's going to make it proper big like my dad used to.
"My mum said 'we're going to go all out'. If it's any way close to how my dad used to do it, it'll be amazing."
"My dad would have turkey, pork, chicken, duck; the works."
THANK YOU! ENOUGH toys to fill Santa's sleigh ten times – never mind once – were handed over to Croydon University Hospital. And it's all thanks to you! Readers left donations at the NHS centre in Lennard Road, West Croydon, which were kindly wrapped by the staff. And businesses also came forward with sackloads of donations, including two bags of toys from Mothercare, in Valley Park; more than 100 soft toys from Ikea; and goodies from Coulsdon Sixth Form College and Kiddicare. Kiddicare store manager Nicholas Asamoah said: "We've only just opened so it's very important, we feel, to play our part in the community and help those who are less fortunate." The girls from Croydon Netball League also showed their generosity, after a social media call to arms from league secretary Kay Martin. Kay, who was joined at Tuesday's presentation by league chairman Jackie Rowland, explained: "I put a call out on Facebook and everybody responded. "We've got 500 girls in the league and they all came back with presents and wanted to help out. It's upsetting seeing children in hospital at Christmas time but we're all mothers and know how much Christmas means to children. We just wanted to do our bit." Advertiser editor Glenn Ebrey said: "I know we say this every year, but in terms of the sheer volume of donations we received, this is the biggest and best yet. "Special thanks to all those business and residents who donated to the appeal, Fairfield Halls for being so supportive once again and also Hannah Barrett, for giving up her time to come to the hospital."
THANK YOU! ENOUGH toys to fill Santa's sleigh ten times – never mind once – were handed over to Croydon University Hospital. And it's all thanks to you! Readers left donations at the NHS centre in Lennard Road, West Croydon, which were kindly wrapped by the staff. And businesses also came forward with sackloads of donations, including two bags of toys from Mothercare, in Valley Park; more than 100 soft toys from Ikea; and goodies from Coulsdon Sixth Form College and Kiddicare. Kiddicare store manager Nicholas Asamoah said: "We've only just opened so it's very important, we feel, to play our part in the community and help those who are less fortunate." The girls from Croydon Netball League also showed their generosity, after a social media call to arms from league secretary Kay Martin. Kay, who was joined at Tuesday's presentation by league chairman Jackie Rowland, explained: "I put a call out on Facebook and everybody responded. "We've got 500 girls in the league and they all came back with presents and wanted to help out. It's upsetting seeing children in hospital at Christmas time but we're all mothers and know how much Christmas means to children. We just wanted to do our bit." Advertiser editor Glenn Ebrey said: "I know we say this every year, but in terms of the sheer volume of donations we received, this is the biggest and best yet. "Special thanks to all those business and residents who donated to the appeal, Fairfield Halls for being so supportive once again and also Hannah Barrett, for giving up her time to come to the hospital."
