In an instant, a place of worry and anxiety was transformed
Santa pays a visit to the Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital
All is quiet on the wards of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. It is 9pm on Christmas Eve, and the children who are not yet asleep sit peacefully watching TV.
But, with the opening of a big set of double doors, what can often be a place of worry and anxiety is transformed in an instant – into one of joy and laughter.
Onto one of the wards strides the big man himself – Father Christmas, closely followed by his elf helper. “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” he bellows.
It’s the person every child has been desperate to see, taking time out of his hectic schedule to personally deliver gifts to those too ill to make it home for December 25.
Santa makes his entrance on Christmas Eve
No child wants to be in hospital at any time of the year, particularly Christmas. But the faces of the youngsters emerging from their rooms is enough to reduce some adults, be they parents or nursing staff, to tears.
This is a much-loved tradition treasured by all those working the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital night shift on Christmas Eve. Not just for the children, but for their own wellbeing.
This year, the Manchester Evening News was invited to join Santa and his elf for a short trip on his tour of the wards.
The man in red was dropping off gifts for the kids who cant make it home this Christmas
Rachel Newall, paediatric clinical coordinator, said: “I have worked here for the last 12 years and there has always been a Santa visit. It’s amazing. It’s so difficult at this time of year.”
As well as posing for pictures with children, Santa had group pictures with teams of nurses, and even recorded video messages for some children who were already sound asleep, to be played when they wake up on Christmas morning.
Amal Ali, a nurse who is spending her second Christmas at the hospital, said: “It’s great. You can see the massive difference with the kids’ reaction. We have got a lot of good feedback from the kids.
It’s the man every child has been desperate to see
“They really enjoy it. You can see it on their face. It’s nice to make a difference to these kids’ lives, to make it normal for them. They get really excited. You can see it in their faces.”
Santa’s tour of the wards happens thanks to a year of donations from charities, who provide gifts which are then passed on to patients and their siblings. These are then arranged into cohorts determined by age, so appropriate presents are given.
They are wrapped and then brought onto the wards in cages, and assigned ready for St Nick to hand over in person.
“They really enjoy it. You can see it on their face”
Before Santa began to arrive on the wards after 9pm on Christmas Eve, they had been quiet and shrouded in darkness, as some children got their head down or watched TV. But their reaction when Santa entered would melt the heart of even the most ardent Christmas hater.
For a moment, their troubles and anxiety were gone, and one constant of a child’s life, the excitement of Christmas, was all that mattered.
Santa visited one mother and baby experiencing their first Christmas together. Although the baby may not remember it, the mum was clearly touched by the gesture.
Before Santa began to arrive on the wards after 9pm on Christmas Eve, they had been quiet
Another recipient of a present from the big man could not wait until the morning to see the surprise. Before Santa left the ward, he saw a little girl with her present already half-opened.
“It’s amazing, all the kids’ faces light up,” Stacey O’Neill, a sister on one of the wards, told the M.E.N.
“No family really wants to spend Christmas in hospital, but I feel like when they see Santa, he just makes it all that much better. They absolutely love it. They get tons of presents, and so much love.
Father Christmas shared selfies with staff on the ward
“Even though it’s a rubbish time spending it here, at least they get to meet Santa. I’m working tonight’s night shift, which is one of the best night shifts to work because as you can see, it’s magical.
“We have a nice time, all the staff are festive, we have a little Christmas buffet. It’s lovely, it’s lovely to work here tonight.”
Santa’s elf goes by the human name of Malcolm Hurst, who alongside his duties to all things presents and festivities, is an optometrist. He has volunteered to help Santa for the past three years.
It is a much-loved tradition treasured by all staff working the night shift
He said: “It’s rewarding, isn’t it? You come and do this on Christmas Eve, it makes you more thankful for what you’ve got yourself.
“You realise how lucky you are, really. But it’s just seeing the look on the kids’ faces.
“You can see yourself, they love it.”