A FAMILY have donated hundreds of chocolate treats to the hospital that saved their little girl’s life.

Callie Kesteven, now four, was born with Group Strep B, a bacterial infection which caused breathing difficulties.

Her mother Lieghann Kesteven said Callie was frequently admitted to the intensive care unit at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton during the first year of her life.

The Argus: The family donated 66 advent calendars and 110 selection boxes to the Royal Alex in Brighton.The family donated 66 advent calendars and 110 selection boxes to the Royal Alex in Brighton.

Having fully recovered, Callie and her siblings, Kaci-Liegh, nine, and Owen, 12, are doing their bit to thank the hospital.

Following a successful appeal for donations the children, who attend West Blatchington Primary School, donated more than 150 advent calendars and selection boxes to children at the Royal Alex.

Lieghann, who lives in Hangleton, said: “The NHS saved my little girl’s life when she was born. They were just incredible and the NHS is made up of so many amazing people.

“I don’t think they get enough gratitude and praise for what they do. When Callie was in hospital over Christmas the hospital organised people to come round to sing and dance for the children. They had a mascot deliver presents to the children.

“I suddenly realised that this year they won’t be able to do that because of coronavirus.

“I wanted to do something so thought maybe a little selection box or some advent calendars might just put a little smile on some faces when they can’t be home at Christmas.”

After appealing for donations through Facebook, Lieghann was stunned with the response. She said: “Everything has been donated by the local community, family and friends and us.

“I had a spark of an idea and I just posted a little thing on Facebook, I wasn’t expecting it to go as mad as it did.

“The staff at the hospital were overwhelmed when they saw all the bags of donations. Because of the year that we’ve had, I think it’s made people realise just how precious life is, especially for those that are in hospital.”

The family are now appealing for people to donate arts and crafts supplies to give to the older children who will be in hospital over the festive period.

Lieghann said: “You don’t necessarily think of the older children and they need a little something.

“Older children are missing out on being at school during really vital years of growing up.”

To donate contact Lieghann at www.facebook.com/lieghann.jackson.9/