WHEN Rob Glover saw hot drinks and biscuits materialise on the hospital ward he was waiting in he felt an overriding emotion - of gratitude.

Rob, a Haematology ward patient at St James's Hospital, was awaiting a blood test result when the tea, coffee and snacks suddenly appeared.

That experience back in May was his first encounter with Hug on a Tray, a patient-support initiative being run by Otley women's group the Chevin Socialites.

The idea, supported by donations from Yorkshire Tea, is simple - to provide patients on the Haematology wards at the Leeds hospital with a gift of mugs, packets of tea, coffee and other hot drinks, and biscuits.

The difference it can make, however, is significant, to the extent that Hebden Bridge resident Rob will take on the Chevin Chase run, on Otley Chevin, on Boxing Day to support the cause.

He said "When you go to see the consultant at the hospital they take your blood as soon as you get there and then you have to wait for about an hour while they analyse it.

"It can often be really busy so you don't feel you can nip down a few floors to go and get a tea or coffee in case you miss your place.

"But when I first saw the tea and biscuits suddenly appear it was like a little glimpse of heaven.

"A cup of tea's not going to change the world but it does transform the moment and can mean a lot when you're having a stressful day.

"I really appreciated it and just thought 'I need to say thank you to whoever's responsible'."

Chevin Socialites' organiser Lesley Noble takes up the tale.

She said: "I got a text from Rob back in May saying 'thanks for the tea and coffee, I really appreciated it'.

"So I met him in Outpatients and he said he'd like to help us with some fundraising and he's done quite a few bits and pieces for us since, and must have raised about £800.

"Then he came up with the idea of running the Chevin Chase on Boxing Day.

"This all started from sitting down and having a chat - it's amazing what can happen just from having a talk over a cup of tea!"

Keen sportsmen Rob has run the Chevin Chase before, but reckons the last time was about 20 years ago.

He will be joined on the challenge by a friend, Jo Marshall, and a former neighbour of Lesley's, Jonathan Dickson - and all three will be wearing teapot hats to publicise Hug on a Tray.

Rob said: "We'll happily run around and support and promote what Lesley and the group are doing.

"It's nice to do something positive because it's easy, as a patient, to feel sorry for yourself but I think most people want to just get on with things."

A sponsorship website for Rob, Jo and Jonathan's Chevin Chase run is due to go online soon - in the meantime more details can be found on the Chevin Socialites Otley Facebook page.