Packed Lunch star Steph McGovern backs Sun’s Xmas appeal visiting tiny Ivy Whelan who spent six days in ICU

WRAPPED up in her cosy pink coat, little Ivy Whelan rushes in to see Santa in his grotto.

She grins and is delighted when he hands her a gift.

No one can believe the four-year-old has just spent six days in intensive care.

Mum Sophie, 28, said: “She was really poorly with a chest infection.

"She’s like a totally different child now.”

We want to thank our readers who have donated thousands so far to our Joy For The Ward appeal this Christmas in aid of NHS Charities Together.

The charity gives grants to life-changing projects at more than 230 NHS charities across the UK.

Your money will help kids like Ivy by funding specialist equipment and staff, mental health care, accommodation for families, and more — including treats like Ivy’s, which brighten up hospital for scared children.

And there is STILL time to donate.

Meanwhile Santa was not the only special visitor to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital — he was joined by TV host Steph McGovern.

The Packed Lunch presenter returned to her home town to support our appeal.

She said: “This hospital has a place in my heart because my mam worked here for 40 years, as a radiographer. I know how hard the staff work.

“It’s nice to meet the kids. Going to hospital is scary for them, so to meet Santa and have a treat is great.”

A&E can, indeed, be very daunting for kids. But at James Cook, it is far less so thanks to the hospital’s new Children’s Emergency Department.

‘I just cried’

Sophie, who works for a children’s hospice, took Ivy when a wheeze she had repeatedly been to her GP about got worse.

Ivy needed oxygen, intravenous antibiotics and a nebuliser to help her breathe.

Sophie said: “She was braver than me. I cried.”

When Ivy was well enough, staff entertained her with toys and painting. Ivy said: “I made Mummy a birthday card.”

During her visit, Steph, who hosted Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage this summer, also met Owen Swift, 23, a volunteer at the hospital.

He helped advise on the new department from a wheelchair-user’s perspective.

Owen, who has a spinal condition, said: “When I first went in, they planned to use a portable hoist, but that requires a few staff members. A permanent one can be used by just one.”