Creative staff nurse Laura is hospitals charity Christmas card star

Hampshire Hospitals Charity has been working in collaboration with a local NHS hospital hero to design its very own Christmas card to raise funds to support staff and patients.

Last month, Hampshire Hospitals Charity asked Laura Ghosh, staff nurse at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, which is run by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to use her artistic talent to design the front and back of this year’s hospitals charity Christmas card.

The festive-inspired spin on the NHS rainbow, with the addition of a new feathered friend, follows Laura’s previous artwork after she painted a rainbow wave on canvas as a gift for the trust.

Laura began painting just before the second lockdown to express how she felt about working for the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Laura’s work has been included in the Hampshire Hospitals Annual Review 2021/22, and her talent is now showcased on the Hampshire Hospitals Charity Christmas cards.

Laura said:

“When I was first asked to paint the front of the HHC Christmas card, I was absolutely flattered and jumped at the opportunity.

“I had a lot of fun playing with different styles and designs for the front and the back, which is inspired by the bauble reef display at the front of Winchester hospital during Christmas.”

“The charity does a great job supporting NHS hospital staff and the patients they care for with the little extras to make someone’s day. I don’t think people can always know how big a difference these can make to everyone’s hospital experience.

“I’m over the moon with how the cards turned out, and the fact that all the money raised is going to be used to support my wonderful NHS colleagues and the patients we strive to deliver outstanding care for each and every day is amazing. I hope families and friends across the Hampshire area enjoy receiving a card.”

Steve Erskine, chairman of Hampshire Hospitals and a trustee of Hampshire Hospitals Charity, said:

“We are thrilled that Laura has created this beautiful card for Hampshire Hospitals Charity. Her enormous talent has really enhanced the Christmas spirit of our NHS staff, and this year we can all enjoy a little bit of the magic through these lovely cards.”

Such has been the popularity of Laura’s Christmas cards that only a handful of packs from the limited-edition run remain to be sold, and these are expected to be snapped up this week.