Santa and Mrs Claus brightened up the lives of the children at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) today (Tuesday, 16 December 2014 at 10.00am). Santa was the special guest at the launch of the hospital’s annual Ho Ho Day. Positive energy and sheer excitement pulsed through the corridors as news of the special visitors spread as Santa made his way from ward to ward with presents.
Ho Ho Day is a special event organised annually by the Play Department and hospital staff to bring children, families and staff together to have a fun day to celebrate Christmas. The day included fancy dress competitions for the best dressed staff member(s) and spot prizes for the children. The day was packed with fun events for the children such as Christmas carol singers (staff choir), face painting, puppet show, National Concert Hall musicians and entertainment from our in house Clown Doctors.
Speaking at the launch Rachel Kenna, Director of Nursing at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, said:
“I wish to thank Santa and Mrs Claus for thier support in making today special and bringing a smile to all in the hospital. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all our families, staff, donors and friends of the hospital and wish you all a very Happy Christmas. Christmas time can sometimes be difficult for sick children in hospital. Christmas time is difficult for sick children and their families in hospital so the staff at Our Lady’s work hard to try and ensure each child who spends Christmas Day in hospital has a special experience.”
Lorcan Birthistle, Chief Executive of OLCHC says that around 100 very ill children will spend this Christmas in the hospital. “We try to get as many children as we can home for Christmas,” he said. “Having a child with a serious illness puts a lot of strain on families, particularly at this time of year. That is why we try particularly hard coming up to Christmas to have some fun in the hospital. The hospital has organised many special events for the children for the month of December including a visit from Irish Celebrities on 22 December 2014 – the “Celebrity Ward Walk”. Children will have a special Christmas Day dinner cooked for them and Santa always drops by on Christmas Eve to give gifts to the children.”
ENDS
