A Christmas Treat, December 1906

At the North-Eastern Children’s Hospital, Hackney-road, on Saturday some 125 little patients enjoyed a Christmas treat, provided largely out of the funds raised by the nurses and their friends.

The nine wards were gaily decorated by the nurses under the superintendence of Miss A. M. Bushby, the matron, and a Christmas tree was provided in the five principal wards. These were laden with toys and a general assortment of useful articles, which were distributed to the patients after Father Christmas, represented by one of the medical staff, had made a parade of the building. A gramophone supplied selections of music.

Some 150 guests interested in the Hospital were invited to witness the proceedings, and they were received on arrival by the resident superintendent (Dr. Norman) and Mr. T. Glenton Kerr (secretary), in the the absence of the president, Lord William Cecil. Among those present were the Mayor (Ald. Fox) and Mayoress of Bethnal-green, Sir Walter and Lady Johnson, Miss Treloar, Miss B. Sidney Woolf, Dr. and Mrs. Porter Parkinson.

The children had something extra for tea, and afterwards enjoyed a Punch and Judy show. Each inmate obtained a present from the Christmas tree, besides bon-bons and other gifts.

These photographs of the event were published in The Graphic on 5 January, 1907