Santa swooped into North Devon District Hospital on Friday morning to the delight of young patients and staff.
Instead of a sleigh, the big man in red touched down on the hospital helipad in an iconic Sea King search and rescue helicopter in a visit organised by the team on Caroline Thorpe children’s ward and Historic Helicopters, based in Chard, Somerset.
Santa and his elf delivered a sackful of Christmas presents for poorly children on the ward. He also handed gifts to bereaved siblings Cleo, Herbie and Sidney Prideaux from Ilfracombe before heading out west towards Braunton and the former RAF Chivenor, once home to the now decommissioned search and rescue helicopter.
The helicopter then followed the coastline, passing over Saunton, Croyde, Woolacombe, Ilfracombe and Lynton before making its way back to Somerset.
Hospital donations come in all shapes and sizes and we gratefully receive them in so many different ways but it’s always very special to see Father Christmas deliver them in a Sea King helicopter!
– Andy Keeble, Royal Devon Hospitals Charity marketing and communications officer
“Thank you to Historic Helicopters and the Caroline Thorpe children’s ward team for making the magic happen and delighting so many staff and patients at the hospital.”
