Special guests will switch on Christmas lights at Furness General Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary in festive events organised By Bay Hospitals Charity.  

Cumbria Fire and Rescue mascot Welephant will officially switch on the Christmas lights at Furness General Hospital on Tuesday December 13.  

The lights switch-on and carol singing takes place outside the main entrance of the hospital from 6pm on Tuesday December 13.  

A little girl who is being treated for a brain tumour and a therapy dog who makes regular visits to children at Royal Lancaster Infirmary will officially switch on the hospital’s Christmas lights on Thursday December 15.  

Freya Duckworth, 3, is currently receiving chemotherapy at the hospital and has been invited to officially switch on the lights on the hospital’s Christmas tree.  

She will be joined by malamute/akita cross Walter, a therapy dog who regularly visits the RLI with his owner John Shield to provide companionship to patients staying on the Children’s Ward.  

RLI Hospital Play Specialist Ania Barska said: “A visit from Walter really picks the children up. His visit is the highlight of the week.  

“He puts a smile on everyone’s face, and it’s great for physio because it gets the childrne moving. It’s just the best therapy going.”  

As well as officially switching on the Christmas tree lights, Freya will get chance to meet Santa, who will be visiting to deliver presents to children in the hospital. The choir from Bowerham Primary School will be at the event to sing carols.  

Father Christmas will visit both hospitals to deliver presents to Children’s Ward patients.  

Bay Hospitals Charity, which supports University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, has organised the activities  

Head of Charities and Fundraising Suzanne Lofthouse said: “We hope the lights switch-on events and visits from Santa will help to spread some festive cheer around the hospitals at this special time of year.  

“I would like to say a huge thank you to the kind supporters who have given toys for Santa to deliver to our young patients.”  

The events take place at Furness General Hospital from 6pm on Tuesday December 13 and at Royal Lancaster Infirmary from 3.45pm on Thursday December 15.