News story
14 November 2025
A leading hospital charity in the East of England is launching its first festive fundraiser – aimed at including as many hospital staff as possible.
Launching its Festive Sock Day on Thursday 4th December, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), whose supporters help fund cutting-edge equipment and pioneering research that brings huge advancements in patient care, said they wanted to introduce a festive fundraiser that hospital staff could take part in.
Explaining why the focus is on Christmas socks and not jumpers, Bec Beattie, Public Campaign and Event Manager for ACT, said: “We know that nursing staff aren’t able to wear Christmas Jumpers, but they CAN wear Christmas socks.”
“Festive Sock Day is a fun and easy way for people to support Addenbrooke’s. Hospital staff, schools, businesses, members of the public – everyone can jump on board for this annual festive event, launching this year – and best of all, it’s really easy to take part.”
Hospital staff are jumping at the chance to get festive – with the Imaging Department already signed up to take part in the Festive Sock fundraiser. Other departments keen to don their festive socks include the hospital’s Pathology department as well as Pharmacy.
Schools and education organisations that have signed up so far include Pathfinder CofE School in Ely; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub; Chesterton Primary School; St John’s CofE Primary School in Huntingdon; On Track Education in Mildenhall and Spinney Primary School in Cherry Hinton.
Ruby Grimwood, PA to the Pathology Directorate at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, said: “Christmas socks with a lab coat helps bring a splash of colour to a serious environment.”
“In Pathology, it is important for us to keep a sterile and clean environment when handling patient samples, but also to protect ourselves from any hazardous materials. This means that we all have to wear lab coats to avoid contamination and keep ourselves safe. Christmas socks are a great way for the team to show some festive spirit and add some colour to our labs whilst still keeping up with our uniform standards.”
Businesses can also join in – and just like hospital staff, ACT’s Festive Sock Day allows businesses who might not normally be able to wear Christmas jumpers to take part in a bit of festive fun too.
One of ACT’s Corporate Partners, Cambridge Commodities in Ely, has already signed up – with lots of fun, fundraising activities planned throughout the day.
CEO James Stevens said: “Cambridge Commodities staff love Christmas and they love Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust!”
“In the past we have handed out daffodils to the hard-working staff and every year we raise money so that every patient receives a Christmas present on Christmas morning. Sadly, as a high quality, food-grade facility a lot of our staff are unable to wear festive jumpers due to how comfortable they are combined with PPE so we were so excited to see that ACT was launching a Festive Sock Day! What a wonderful idea to have a fully inclusive day where every member of staff can join in, don some festive colour whilst supporting a great cause.”
Asked what their plans were for the day, James said: “A few games will be played, maybe a three-legged sock race, maybe a sock-based dance-off… We will definitely have prizes for the greatest pair. It’s great to involve everyone in giving back at CC where our core pillars are family, friendly and fun. This year we will be proud to spread warmth and joy, one sock at a time!”
In January this year, James’ company became ACT’s first corporate partner to raise over half a million for the charity, after celebrating their seven-year partnership – raising a total, at the time, of £561,810. The company continues to fundraise for ACT and will once again this year buy and wrap Christmas presents for every patient in Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie on Christmas Day.
Anyone feeling inspired to ‘Join your Docs in Festive Socks’ can sign up now.
It’s quick and easy to do and all you need to take part is a sense of fun and a pair of festive socks!
Bec Beattie said: “All you need to do is ‘join your docs in festive socks’, sign up on our sign up page and make a small donation – and sit back safe in the knowledge that you have helped to make Addenbrooke’s even better for our patients, their families and the brilliant people that care for us all every day.”
“Don’t forget to send us your photos and tag Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust in on all your socials. We can’t wait to see who will come up with the jazziest socks!”
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