CBC News Barbados

The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus has been spreading some much-needed Christmas cheer to sick children. The institution has donated more than 150 gifts for patients of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Paediatric Unit. Deputy Principal Professor Winston Moore, says the items were gifted by staff, students and supporters of UWI Cave Hill, during the recently held ‘Christmas at Cave Hill’ concert. The Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Neil Clark, thanked the University for its generosity.

Parents of small children are being told to keep an extra eye on them to ensure they don’t get in to unintended trouble. The advice from Consultant Paediatrician with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dr. Gillian Birchwood. She says children will explore, and they do so by touching, smelling and tasting things. Dr. Birchwood is also warning parents and guardians to take steps to prevent children from ingesting potentially harmful substances such as alcohol.

The last-minute rush is on as Barbadians complete their shopping and baked goods. Patrons were observed making their selections of great cake, bread, cake and sweet bread on offer. At Carters’ Bakery in St. George, Marva Greene says it has been a hectic morning, with customers in and out all day, particularly to get their traditional Bajan salt bread. At Nicholl’s Bakery in Bibby’s Lane, St. Michael, lines of people waiting to snap up bread and other flour delicacies snaked around the building. And Business Development Manager Sharon Richards says from as early as 6:00 a.m. there has been a steady stream of customers in search of bread and cakes.