Santa Returns to the Sky at Aberdeen Children’s Hospital
Santa lifted the spirits of sick children and their families at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) last Sunday 12 December thanks to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Covid restrictions prevented Saint Nic from visiting the ward again this year but SFRS were ready to save the day by raising him up to wave through the window to children and staff at the hospital.
Santa was in safe hands as he was secured into an aerial rescue pump festooned with tinsel and lifted up to greet the children. Gifts donated by Morrisons supermarket and from funds raised by SFRS were also given to the youngsters on the wards, as well as children supported by The Archie Foundation’s Child Bereavement Service. The children who were well enough to take part in the outdoor festivities also got the opportunity to meet Santa.
SFRS Watch Commander, Matthew Cowe, said: “The Covid restrictions meant that we couldn’t do our usual visit from Santa to deliver gifts to Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, but we really wanted to do something for the children and their families during this difficult time.”
“With Santa on the scene, Morrisons little helpers were there to support Santa by providing the most amazing presents during what is a very difficult time for the children. The kids were so excited to see Santa, it was really heart warming experience for us all.”
Businesses across Aberdeen came together to make Santa’s arrival a special one. In addition to Morrisons, other sponsors include TEXO and Flat4 media.
TEXO’s Managing Director, Chris Smith said: “The Archie Foundation is close to all our hearts in TEXO. It’s especially important to us at this time of year, when families need to be together and celebrate the magic of the holidays. We were delighted to support Santa’s visit to Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital!”
The Archie Foundation, the official charity of Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and Aberdeen Neonatal Unit, provides vital services and support to sick babies and children, as well as supporting bereaved families through Archie’s Child Bereavement Service.
CEO of The Archie Foundation, Paula Cormack, said: “While it’s not what we would hope and we weren’t able to do the full in person visit it was every bit as special and incredibly emotional to see all of the children waving from the window. Their smiling faces and the fantastic image we have of little Casey high-fiving Santa really just showed how much it means to children and their families facing the Christmas period in hospital”
“We are incredibly grateful to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Morrisons PLC, Flat4 media and TEXO for bringing this incredibly special event back again this year. It is so important to us to raise the spirits of sick children and their families who are in RACH over the Christmas period. We can only imagine how hard it is for families to be separated not only when a child is unwell but also to not be together over the festivities. Everyone at Archie goes above and beyond to ensure this time brings joy and laughter to our service users.”
Check out our press coverage here –
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/santa-uses-crane-hospital-visit-25685515
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-59630144
https://news.stv.tv/north/flying-visit-santa-uses-cherry-picker-to-greet-kids-at-hospital-window
https://kwhen.com/finance/news/751210db-534b-4ad6-b5cb-7059582721da
