Special visit to hospice by Santa on his sleigh

Father Christmas has made a special visit to a Penarth hospice, bringing gifts for patients who are there in the lead up to Christmas.

 

Families visited their relatives as Caerphilly Lions Club brought Santa along in his sleigh to see patients at the Marie Curie, Cardiff and the Vale Hospice. 

 

As the man himself pulled up into the hospice car park – with a little help from Western Power Distribution – some patients and their families were waiting for him, with some little ones joining him in his sleigh for a photograph.  

Father Christmas and his helper, Stephen Haddock, then made their way around the ground floor and first floor wards, where they handed out presents on behalf of the Lions Club. 

 

The festive treat was among a number of Christmas activities which have been held at the hospice over the past few weeks. 

 

There has been an Advent Calendar raffle for patients on both wards, while the Salvation Army also visited the hospice to perform for patients. 

 

At the start of December, Marie Curie also held its annual Lights to Remember event at the hospice, with carols from actress, singer and presenter Caryl Parry Jones. 

 

 

Paula Elson, Hospice Manager at the Bridgeman Road hospice, said: “Although most patients want to be at home for Christmas it is not always possible therefore we try and make the most of Christmas at the hospice involving patients and families in the festivities.  

"Father Christmas's visit today has made some special memories for many of our patients and their relatives. I would like to say a big thank you to Caerphilly Lions Club for making this possible."