CHILDREN in hospital this Christmas are promised fun and a touch of magic, thanks to a Redditch firm.

Money they have donated will go to paying for play and recreation workers to deliver a range of fun activities at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The Sigma Financial Group, which has a large call centre in the town, has donated £1,200 to the hospital charity to help bring more festive cheer to poorly children.

The cash has gone towards decorating wards and activities such as children creating bunting designs and writing letters to Father Christmas.

It is the third year in a row that Sigma, which provides customer contact services for various businesses, has supported the hospital’s festive programme.

Gary Gilburd, Sigma’s chief executive said: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions the hospital are not able to offer their patients such a big programme of activities this Christmas, so they are trying to do things differently by bringing some magic to the wards through amazing decorations and Christmas tree designs.

“It has been a tough year for everyone and even more so if you are in hospital. We hope our donation helps in some way and brings a smile to people’s faces at a time when they need it most.”

Earlier this summer a group of 25 employees from Sigma, which is based on Priory Queensway, raised £5,000 for the hospital through a charity 5k a day challenge.

The company celebrates its tenth anniversary next year since it was co-founded by Mr Gilburd and chief operating officer Mike Harfield in 2011. It now counts 14 UK energy providers as customers.