ANOTHER special year saw two Hampshire hospitals bringing festive cheers to those without.

Sophie’s Appeal saw in excess of 200 gifts donated to the Giving Tree this year at the children’s wards in the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Southampton General Hospital.

Sophie's Appeal was set up in memory of Sophie Barringer from Eastleigh who died of cancer at the age of six in December 2004.

The collection was for the charity's annual Giving Tree celebration which was developed by the little girl before her death nine years ago when she realised many of her friends from hospital would not be spending Christmas at home. Since then more than 1,800 gifts have been donated to sick children over the festive period.

Among those who donated presents were youngsters from The Norwood School in Eastleigh, where Sophie was a pupil.

Lin Barringer, Sophie’s mum and charity co-founder, said: “Sophie originally started the Giving Tree event when she realised many of her hospital friends would be spending Christmas on the ward, rather than at home. She wanted to bring some Christmas cheer to the hospitals, and it is an honour to continue this on her behalf. “We would like to thank everyone for their support which makes such a difference to the young people being treated in hospital this Christmas.”

For more information on Sophie’s Appeal, please visit www.sophiesappeal.org.