STAFF at Russells Hall Hospital have been overwhelmed after receiving more than 1,000 Christmas cards for patients unlucky enough to be in hospital on Christmas Day.

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust launched an inpatient Christmas card appeal on November 21, asking members of the public to write an extra card for patients who can’t be at home on Christmas Day.

The trust has since received generous donations from schools including Church of the Ascension Primary School, Crestwood School and Sixth Form and Ridgewood High School as well as from members of the public and members of staff.

Borough libraries also acted as collection points, as did other trust sites in Brierley Hill, Stourbridge and Dudley.

Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group, said: “We are completely blown away by the support we have received for this appeal.

"To say we have had more than 1,000 cards donated to us is absolutely amazing.

"The Dudley community really pulled together, and I can’t wait to see all the beautiful cards we have received up around the wards.”