CHILDREN in hospital have been given presents bought with money raised by a cricket club.

Patients and staff in the children’s ward at Wexham Park Hospital have been gifted dozens of presents by Joseph Elms, 58, of Cippenham, who has been donating presents to the ward for 40 years.

Mr Elms said: “I do it for one reason: I’m a Slough boy through and through.”

Mr Elms donated the gifts to the ward on Monday.

The money to purchase them was raised with the help of Farnham Royal Cricket club and a number of businesses, clubs, and restaurants.

“We raised £1,800 through Farnham Royal Cricket Club.

I helped run raffles, with the prizes donated by local businesses.

Slough Town Football Club donated a football shirt, which we auctioned off for £100, and the main prizes were given to us by Berkley Electric –which have supported me for over 10 years.”

With the money, Mr Elms purchased gifts such as CD and DVD players for the older children, and toys, dolls, and teddy bears for the younger ones. He also set aside £400 to buy gifts for the nurses of the children’s ward.

Mr Elms said: “Nurses don’t get paid very much, so I try and look after them too.”

Mr Elms said that the children in the ward were delighted with their gifts, adding: “They were over the moon.

“They were all very happy, the nurses too.

“I’ve been working with them for years, they are always very grateful.”