CHATTER BOX Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events Friday 19 December 2025
Santa swaps his sleigh for a helicopter and he flies into hospital to visit children Santa swapped his sleigh for a RAF Shawbury helicopter when he flew in to visit the Children’s Ward at PRH. Excited patients and staff greeted the Juno helicopter as it touched down with its special visitor aboard. Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity and RAF Shawbury were on hand to help Santa deliver gifts to patients on the Children’s Ward and they also visited parents on the Neonatal Unit. During his flying visit, Santa spoke to two-year-old patient Myla, from Whitchurch, and her mum. Her mum Emma Hughes said “Being in hospital over Christmas is something no family ever wishes for, but today brought us a little bit of magic. Seeing Father Christmas visit the ward and bring such joy to the children has made this season feel extra special. Even though we won’t be home for Christmas, moments like this remind us that the spirit of Christmas can find us anywhere.”
Jo Williams, Group Chief Executive, said: “It was so exciting to have Santa arrive at the hospital by helicopter. Thank you to RAF Shawbury for bringing along the special visitor who put a smile on the faces of our young patients. “They were thrilled to see Santa and to receive a gift ahead of the big day. Some of our patients will be in over Christmas and this visit provides a welcome distraction from the treatment they are receiving.” Wing Commander Paddy Durnin, Station Commander RAF Shawbury, said “It is a real pleasure to be able to drop Santa into the Princess Royal Hospital to meet the children who are on the Shropshire Children’s Ward at this time of year. “We know the families and hospital staff also love to meet Santa. We wish them all the very best as they support and help Shropshire’s young people to recover over the Christmas periods and all year round.”