A CORNISH couple are encouraging the public to donate pyjamas to children receiving hospital treatment.

Samantha and James Dickensen, who live in Carlyon Bay, have four sons. Their youngest, Seth, six, is currently undergoing treatment for brain cancer at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. The Dickensens are collecting donations of new pyjamas to deliver to youngsters who are at the hospital over Christmas.

The Children’s Hospital Pyjamas appeal was started 11 years ago by Charmaine Green after her daughter, Nevaeh, was treated for cancer at the Croydon University Hospital and The Royal Marsden in South London. Initially toys were collected, but it was found that while most hospitals received many toys at Christmas, there was a short supply of pyjamas for children to wear as an alternative to hospital gowns.

The original aim was for every child spending Christmas in hospital to receive a new pair of pyjamas on December 25 to wear to meet Father Christmas. In practice, the pyjamas are in demand throughout the year, in the children’s wards and also in A&E.

A spokesperson for the appeal said: “Last year 12,202 pairs were donated and distributed to 62 hospitals, hospices and refuges in London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

“This year, for the first time, we will be collecting pyjamas in the South West for delivery to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.”

Samantha Dickensen said: “We ourselves spent Christmas 2017 in intensive care with Seth, so we understand how difficult it is for families to be in hospital at Christmas. This is a way for us to give something back to the community.”

Pyjamas must be brand new; preferably sealed but not wrapped, boys and girls, newborn to age 18 (young adult). The collection runs from tomorrow (October 12) to December 4, after which they will be delivered to the hospitals.

All details regarding type, collection points, delivery options and a wish list are in the about section of the Children’s Hospital Pyjama’s Facebook page.

Donation points can be found at Morrisons Bodmin and at Tescos in Truro.

Pyjamas can also purchased online with the delivery address being: Children’s Hospital Pyjamas, St. Mildred’s Parish Church, 30, Bingham Road, Croydon CR0 7EB. There is an Amazon ‘wish list’ to purchase from and have delivered direct to St. Mildred’s.