Hunts deliver presents to children at the Princess Royal Hospital

Ahead of the hunting community uniting with local residents to clear up litter that is blighting the countryside as part of the Countryside Alliance’s Countryside Clean-up (16 March – 1 April), we were delighted to learn about the efforts of those who follow hounds in Shropshire and Staffordshire who delivered Christmas presents for over 100 children to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Members of the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt, the North Shropshire Hunt and the Wynnstay Hunt collected donations and gifts during November and December 2023 ahead of presenting them at the hospital. The gifts were distributed to children who were being cared for in hospital over the Christmas period.

Mark Gilbert, who organised the collection along with his wife Veronica and who hunts regularly with the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt said:

“This is the second year that we have done this and it was made even more special this time because when we delivered the presents, we took two ponies along for the children and parents to meet and have pictures taken with. It was an incredible experience for us all.”

“We would like to thank all those who generously made the donations and also give a special mention to the local businesses in Shrewsbury which gave a 10% discount on any purchases made for this cause, which enabled even more to be donated.”

Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance praised those involved:

“This is just yet another example of the selfless work that hunts carry out to assist others in their local communities. Hunts across the country regularly support local charities and good causes, and we look forward to the hunting community joining forces with local residents to help clear up the countryside in the Countryside Clear-up taking place in the spring.”

The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, which is part of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, acts as a hub for donations of gifts and other goods required by children in hospital at Christmas.

Across the country, the hunting community raised more than £460,000 for 92 charities from November 2022 to May 2023.