Father Christmas Makes a Special Stop at Red Cross

Wailing fire engines and rumbling Harley Davidson motorcycles flooded the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital precinct for the hospital's annual Christmas Parade on 18 December. 

Father Christmas – with his big belly, bright red suit and trademark white beard – swopped his sleigh for a ride on a Harley Davidson cruiser, much to the delight of the little patients, their families and staff. 

Wrapped in their blue hospital gowns – with some seated in their wheelchairs – the children cheered, clapped and pointed as Father Christmas cruised in. “Look, mommy, there’s Father Christmas”,  an excited young boy told his mother. 

The event was organised by the Friends of the Children’s Hospital Association, and included firefighters, superheroes and dancers who entertained the crowd while Father Christmas headed into the wards to hand out gifts and nurses sang Christmas carols. 

Children and their parents enjoying the festivities outside were also treated to rides, a petting zoo, and a balloon animal sculptor. 

“It’s always a pleasure visiting the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and being able to put a smile on the faces of these children. It really warms my heart and gets my festive season started in a very special way,” Father Christmas said of the event.

Father Christmas hands over a gift to a patient and her mother at the Red Cross Children's Hospital Christmas party.	The Flash and Spiderman visit one of the patients at Red Cross Children's Hospital.
Children loved getting to know the animals in the petting zoo.	Nurses and volunteers dressed up and helped out at the Christmas party.
People gathered outside the hospital and enjoyed the festivities.	The Flash, Scooby Doo, Buzz Lightyear, Batman, Robin and Spiderman greet the crowds below.

Watch Father Christmas deliver gifts to the children at Red Cross