Santa arrives in style to CUH to visit sick kids
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Santa with Jennifer Kearney, CEO, Cork University Hospital and Cormac Fitzgerald, President of Kinsale Lions Club.Image 2 of 3
Santa with Cork hurling, football and camogie stars Micheál Aodh Martin, Mark Cronin, Aoife O’Neill, Laura O’Mahony and Saoirse McCarthy.Image 3 of 3
Santa Claus and all his helpers arrived at Cork University Hospital for the annual Christmas toy drop, an initiative between Kinsale & District Lions Club and CUH Charity, which provides hundreds of new toys to children spending the festive season in hospital in Cork, and to local charities. Photos: Brian LougheedThere was festive cheer galore at Cork University Hospital (CUH) recently, as Santa Claus took time out of his busy December to come and visit the paediatric ward.
Arriving in style with a Defence Forces escort last Friday, Saint Nicholas came bearing gifts, chocolate, and joy for those children and their parents who will have to spend their Christmas this year in hospital.
The event was organised in coordination with Kinsale and District Lions Club, CUH Charity, and the North Pole.
Coming along to give Santa a hand were some of Cork’s sporting stars, including Micheál Aodh Martin, Mark Cronin, Aoife O'Neill, Laura O'Mahony and Saoirse McCarthy.
Also joining Santa were his usual entourage - Mrs Claus, a delegation of elves from the North Pole, and, in a rare display of bipartisanship, the Grinch.
Providing the atmosphere for the day were the Defence Forces Army Band, who played all the Christmas hits. As gifts were handed out, the air was filled with 'Jingle Bells' and 'Fairytale of New York'.
Also taking time out of his busy schedule - and no doubt excited to meet the big man himself - was Taoiseach Mícheál Martin, but is he on the nice list this year?
Speaking to the assembled crowd, he said that the event showed the best that Cork had to offer.
“Christmas in hospital can be incredibly difficult, but events such as this make such a profound difference to childrens’ lives.
“This event is family, community, and kindness, and is based on the fundamental belief that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves happiness at Christmas,” he said.