IT takes hundreds of staff to run Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

But every one of the team - from porters to radiologists and consultants - has hopes for their hospital and all the young patients in it.

Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity has been asking staff, patients and families to share their Hospital Hopes to raise funds and make 2018 the brightest year so far.

The hospital's team of play therapists help support children through treatment by using play to help explain their stay in hospital to them and reduce their fears.

A stay in hospital can be stressful and lonely but the play team - who all must have at least three years experience in early years education before working in the sick kids' hospital - help make that time easier.

Ally Mellon, Play Assistant for Young People, has been in her role for three-and-a-half years and works with children aged 12 to 18.

She said: "It's interesting because young people might not be into doing any arts and crafts at home but they love it when they're here.

"It's good for them because it helps them use their hands and is a form of physio but doesn't feel like that to them.

"We also have a room with computer games and other activities for young people.

"It gives them time away from mum and dad, if they need it, and helps them feel like a normal teenager."

Ally works alongside Claire Duffer, a play assistant, and Deanne Keen, a Health Play Assistant.

Deanne said: "We get a lot of children with mental health issues so play becomes a massive part of their day and real support to them."

Claire said: "We've had children crying that they don't want to go home because they want to come up and play."

All three play team members shared the same Hospital Hope for their patients.

Claire added: "Our Hospital Hope is that all the children and young people play, laugh and have fun and have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year."

Elsewhere in the hospital Jenna Hills, Highly Specialist Physiotherapist, has worked for nine years in the hospital - moving from the former sick kids' at Yorkhill - and has been in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for six.

She said: "I always wanted to work with kids.

"Being here is a fun environment to work in and so rewarding. The children force you to be positive but they just want to get better.

"There's very little resistance to treatment because kids want to do everything - I find that motivating.

"The PICU can be a stressful and emotional place for families but everybody works together."

Jenna said she deals with difficult days by having a good cry to medical dramas, such as Grey's Anatomy.

She is currently working on an early mobility project thanks to funding from Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.

Jenna added: "My Hospital Hope for the children who have to be in hospital over the festive season is for them to have family and friends for company and smiles on their faces."

In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff are constantly busy working with the hospital's youngest patients.

As the largest NICU in the country, newborns come from across Scotland for treatment.

Among the team are Tracy Hard, Senior Charge Nurse; Nicola Gemmell, staff nurse; Alyson Gillies, senior staff nurse; and Dr Neil Patel, neonatologist.

Nicola's Hospital Hope is: "I hope to get them all out for a cuddle no matter how sick they are.

"It's all about making the time nice because it's their first Christmas so we want to make it as nice as we can."

Tracy added: "My Hospital Hope would be that our patients get home and live a long and healthy life."

Neil said: "My Hospital Hope for the New Year is that our team - both families and staff - will continue to grow together to support families in the best possible way and look forward to providing the best care we can for our patients."

Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity is asking donors, supporters, families and friends of the charity to spread their #HospitalHopes for the patients of the hospital on social media.

As hopes are shared, bosses would like people to donate to ensure the care offered by Glasgow Children’s Hospital continue to brighten up the lives of the patients throughout 2018.

The charity raises money to fund enhanced equipment and services at what is Scotland's largest children's hospital, such as the work being undertaken by Jenna.

Already the charity has invested more than £11 million in the new hospital to make sure children and their families receive a gold standard level of care.

This year the Charity has raised more than £837,000 for children with cancer and blood disorders through its Schiehallion Appeal, funded a new Bereavement Service for families, siblings and staff, and continues to fund the very latest medical equipment, innovative play programmes, family support services, and pioneering paediatric research.

To donate to the #HospitalHopes appeal see www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity/hospitalhope