Kind-hearted Leeds girl, five, making Christmas hampers for Leeds Children's Hospital patients

Lilyana Myers, of Alwoodley, is busy collecting items including small toys and story books for the hampers as part of her latest charitable venture.

Lilyana has already made up nine large hampers, which also include colouring books, puzzle books, small toys and Christmas sweet cones.

And she has made one hamper containing bath bombs for nurses who will be busy working at the hospital over the Christmas period.

Lilyana is a pupil at Gateways School in Harewood and fellow pupils have helped her by donating many items and gifts for the hampers.

The hampers will have to go into quarantine for two weeks before being given to children being cared for at the hospital.

She started her charitable work during the first lockdown after mum Sam Myers sold some of Lilyana's old clothes and toys on ebay.

Lilyana's mum used the money she made to buy ingredients for Lilyana to make around 50 bath bombs and 150 cones filled with sweets, which were donated to Leeds Children';s Hospital and the Leeds Children's Charity.

Leeds Children's Charity reaches out to young victims of abuse in the hope of offering them the respite they need, away from the distress they face at home.

The charity's managing director has written to Lilyana to thank her for the gifts.

An Instagram page for 'Lilyana's Charity' has led to growing support for the Christmas hamper appeal for Leeds Children's Hospital.

Leeds company Your Local Greengrocer has offered the use of their warehouse on Taverners Walk, Sheepscar, LS7 1AH, for people to drop gifts off for the hampers.

Lilyana's mum Sam said: "Lilyana just wanted to do something nice just so the children have got something to look forward to.

"She is just really caring and always thinking about others. It was her idea to do something for the poorly children."

Lisa Beaumont, therapeutic and specialised play manager at Leeds Children's Hospital, said: “We’re so grateful to Lilyana for everything she’s doing to support our Christmas present campaign.

"Christmas is going to be very different this year for patients and staff.

"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, visiting is more restricted, play rooms are closed and we are not able to hold many of our usual festive activities.

"We’re still aiming to make Christmas magical, whilst keeping everyone safe.

"Donating Christmas presents is a wonderful way for members of the public to make a real difference”

For anyone wanting to make a donation, Leeds Children’s Hospital has created an online Wish List at https://leeds-cares.org/product-category/childrens-christmas-wishlist/Leeds Children’s Hospital will also be hosting two, pre-booked, socially-distanced drop-off events for businesses and community groups making large donations.

These must be booked in advance through Leeds Cares at www.leeds-cares.org/Leeds Children’s Hospital will not be able to accept individual drop-off donations and donors will not be able to visit the wards as they have done in previous years.