The Salvation Army Band prescribes dose of carolling to kids at Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Children staying at Sheffield Children’s Hospital over Christmas will be getting a musical treat on Monday 19 December when members of the Sheffield Citadel Salvation Army Band perform especially for them.   From 6pm a group of musicians is set to tour the wards, playing traditional carols and Christmas songs to the young patients, their families, friends and hospital staff during the two hour visit to the hospital at Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TH.  

TSA Sheffield Citadel Band Secretary, Rona Treeby said: “For me, this visit is the absolute highlight of our Christmas schedule, something every band member really looks forward to.  “We manage to get around most of the wards, including intensive care; provided the patients aren’t asleep and we’re not going to disturb them. For lots of the children it’s the first time they’ve seen a live band and they’re usually curious about how the instruments work and where the sound comes from.    

“I think it helps them forget about their illness or injury while we’re there and it gets them really excited about Christmas which is just lovely to see and be a part of.”  

The Salvation Army Sheffield Citadel Band starts its Christmas carolling rounds through Sheffield Children’s Hospital in S2 ward at 6pm on Monday 19 December and plans to stop off and perform on as many wards as possible during the visit which will last approximately two hours.  

Musicians from Sheffield Citadel’s band, youth band and choir have been playing festive songs across the city since late November.  So far, they’ve performed for rush hour commuters at Sheffield Station and Christmas shoppers in Sheffield city centre, among other appearances.  

They’re now gearing up to play even more shows at various venues — including care homes and homeless hostels — on their mission to share the joy of Christmas with as many people as possible.