Santa Claus visits Tayside Children's Hospital
He travelled all the way from the North Pole to bring some Christmas magic.
Last updated 15th Dec 2021
Santa made a trip to Tayside Children's Hospital this week to spread some festive cheer to children and staff.
Wards 29 and 30 were thrilled to have a chat with Mr Claus, who was sporting a face mask over his beard because even Santa has to follow the Covid rules.
During his trip, he handed out gifts to young patients in the wards and in the paediatric outpatient clinic.
Forty selection boxes were donated from The Logie Recreational Club in Dundee for his big visit.
NHS Tayside Lead Nurse for Children and Young Peoples Services, Sarah McLauchlan, said:
“On behalf of all the patients and staff in the Tayside Children’s Hospital, I would like to say how delighted we were that Santa Claus was able visit in person this year.
"His visit really brought a little bit of Christmas magic to the children and staff and brightened their day.
“A huge thanks must go to the team at Pitlochry Festival Theatre who very generously arranged for Santa to visit and to The Logie Recreation Club for the lovely selection boxes they donated.
"Santa’s visit brought some real festive joy to the children in hospital and to our staff.”
Elizabeth Newman, Artistic Director with Pitlochry Festival Theatre said:
“Pitlochry Festival Theatre is passionate about serving all of its communities and, especially during the pandemic, we’ve tried to support as many social, community and health services as possible.
“When we heard that NHS Tayside needed Santa to visit Ninewells over Christmas, I knew we had to find a way to help.
"I called Colin McCredie and he immediately said yes. Colin is a wonderful actor and brilliant person. With the help of the theatre’s great Associate, Amy and Assistant, Rhys, we’ve been able to visit the hospital and make some cheerful videos for the children, other patients and staff at the hospital to enjoy together.
"We know how important moments of joy can be, especially when things are hard, so we hope this offered some much needed laughter and festive fun.”
Santa also recorded two special Christmas videos, one to say a big thanks to staff working across health and social care services in Tayside and one for young patients who will be in hospital over the festive period.