CHILDREN at an Oxford hospital were treated to a real flying visit from Father Christmas yesterday.
The reindeer and elves were given a day off in preparation for the big night, and instead Santa was given a lift to the John Radcliffe Hospital in a Puma helicopter by 230 Squadron from RAF Benson.
After touching down on the hospital’s heli-pad, Father Christmas went to Kamran’s Ward at Oxford Children’s Hospital where he delivered a sack full of presents to children, many of whom have cancer.
Among the children who received presents were Zak Hobbs, six, Emma Underwood, four, and two-year-old Charlie Manfield, who was diagnosed with leukaemia on his birthday on October 23.
Charlie was so happy to see Father Christmas, he gave Santa his last sausage snack,which his mother Susan Fairley said he had developed a craving for since undergoing treatment.
She said: “Charlie is picking up on the excitement in the ward.
“We are hoping to be home for Christmas but everyone here has been so brilliant. It takes a special kind of person with a huge heart to work in a place like Kamran’s Ward, especially at Christmas.”
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