Christmas Visit has a Sporty Flavour

This year's Arrival of Father and Mother Christmas at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital on December 14 was made extra special by the guests who escorted them to the hospital. The Vasco Da Gama soccer team, who have been making a name for themselves as the feisty new kids on the PSL block, brought Father and Mother Christmas to the hospital by bus, and helped them to deliver presents to all the patients.

The arrival of Father and Mother Christmas is an annual event, which forms part of the hospital's festive season activities. Every year the couple arrive in some elaborate and entertaining way, such as by helicopter, firetruck, limousine, etc, to delight the patients at the hospital.

This year, to stick with the soccer fever theme, the players from local PSL team Vasco Da Gama, escorted the jolly couple in.

The much-anticipated arrival was preceded by a parade, which featured several traffic vehicles and a firetruck - with sirens blaring - as well as Hummer limousines and a Christmas band.

Other special guests included Simba the Lion and Bokkie the Springbok mascot.

The entertainment for the day was rounded off with face painting, energetic clowns and a young magician, Luke Africa, who delighted children with his clever tricks and a ventriloquist act.