'I was worried I wouldn’t see him before Christmas!' Santa swaps sleigh for helicopter to visit Telford hospital

Santa flew in to visit the Children’s Ward at the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford aboard an RAF Shawbury helicopter.

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This week, Santa swapped his sleigh for a H135 Juno helicopter and waved to children at local schools as he flew through the skies over Telford.

RAF Shawbury arranged for Santa to visit the PRH via helicopter

He touched down to be greeted by excited patients and staff at the PRH on Wednesday afternoon.

RAF Shawbury arranged for Santa to visit the PRH in a helicopter

For the second year in a row, the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) Charity and RAF Shawbury helped Santa deliver gifts to patients on the Children’s Ward and also visited parents on the Neonatal Unit.

Santa with Georgie and Stefan, 2, Gergana, 4 and Steliyana Baychev, from Shrewsbury — Santa with Georgie and Stefan, two, Gergana, four, and Steliyana Baychev, from Shrewsbury

Santa was accompanied on his visit by keen staff volunteers and RAF students.

Santa with a team from RAF Shawbury: Ben Lees, Andrew McGowan , Ellis Ricci and Angie Webster. — Santa with a team from RAF Shawbury: Ben Lees, Andrew McGowan, Ellis Ricci and Angie Webster

Six-year-old Juno Robertshaw had a good chat with Santa. She said: “It was so exciting to meet Father Christmas straight off the helicopter. I have been poorly and was worried I wouldn’t get to see him before Christmas so I am glad I got the chance.

“The doctors and nurses who looked after me are so kind, thank you very much.”

Santa at the PRH — Santa with Esme Ridge, six, and mum, Georgia Buck

Vicky Heath whose baby Teddy has been on the Neonatal Unit, said: “Meeting Santa has got us in the Christmas spirit and going home tomorrow feels like a Christmas miracle.

Santa, with Mary Ellen Connor, 7, from Telford — Santa, with Mary Ellen Connor, seven, from Telford

"Teddy has been in hospital for 67 days and I couldn’t fault the care on the Neonatal Unit, they were always checking on me as well as the baby.”

Esme Ridge, 6 and play specialists Georgia Newsome and Dawn White, with staff from RAF Shawbury opening presents for the ward — Esme Ridge, six, and play specialists Georgia Newsome and Dawn White, with staff from RAF Shawbury opening presents for the ward

Julia Clarke, director of public participation at SaTH, said: “We are so grateful to RAF Shawbury for delivering Santa via helicopter to the hospital, we know our young patients love to see the helicopter landing and get a real boost from receiving a gift ahead of the big day. Some of our patients will be in over Christmas and this visit provides a welcome distraction from the treatment they are receiving.”

Santa, and Esme Ridge, 6, from Shrewsbury — Santa, and Esme Ridge, six, from Shrewsbury

The Station Commander, Wing Commander Alan Jones said: “RAF Shawbury was delighted to give Santa a special ride in one of our No 1 Flying Training School helicopters for his visit to the Children’s Ward at the Trust.

Santa, with Jayden Evans, 6, from Wellington — Santa, with Jayden Evans, six, from Wellington

“We wish all the children and families the very best for their treatments and recoveries over the Christmas period. We would also like to thank all of the staff on the Children’s Ward and Neonatal Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital for their fabulous work throughout the year.”