RAF helicopter flies Santa to children in hospital

Santa has hitched a lift in an RAF helicopter to visit children being treated in hospital.

He arrived for a visit to the children's ward at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital in a Juno helicopter from RAF Shawbury, Shropshire.

Excited patients and staff were there to greet Father Christmas, as he delivered presents to youngsters spending time in hospital over the festive period and also visited parents in the neonatal unit.

Hospital chiefs said Santa would be back in action with his sleigh pulled by Rudolph and his team on Christmas Eve, so people could still look out for him flying through the sky.

Myla, aged two, from Whitchurch, was one of the children who got to meet Santa.

Her mother Emma said being in hospital over Christmas was something no family ever wished for, but she added: "Today brought us a little bit of magic."

She said seeing Father Christmas visit the young patients and "bring such joy" to them made the season feel extra special.

"Even though we won't be home for Christmas, moments like this remind us that the spirit of Christmas can find us anywhere," she said.

Wing Cdr Paddy Durnin, station commander at RAF Shawbury, said it was the third year they had given Father Christmas a ride in a No 1 Flying Training School helicopter.

He said it was "a real pleasure" to drop the special guest into the hospital, adding they knew families and hospital staff, as well as the children, loved to meet him.

Wing Cdr Durnin said: "We wish them all the very best as they support and help Shropshire's young people to recover over the Christmas periods and all year round."

Jo Williams, chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, thanked RAF Shawbury and said the children were thrilled.

"Some of our patients will be in over Christmas and this visit provides a welcome distraction," she said.

Julia Clarke, director of public participation at the trust, said the RAF didn't just deliver Santa, but "smiles, excitement and a moment of wonder".

"Thank you for once again for getting Santa safely to us," she said.

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