Rudolf retired? Santa uses helicopter to deliver hundreds of toys to hospital

Children at Cork University Hospital were amazed to catch a glimpse of Santa on a flying visit on Friday.

Santa, who was giving his reindeer a pre-Christmas rest, made quite the entrance by instead arriving on a Coast Guard Helicopter.

The huge toy-drop was the result of a Kinsale & District Lions Club appeal in partnership with CUH Charity, which began in 2020.

The man in red had plenty of support from emergency services, which travelled to the hospital in convoy from Bishopstown Garda Station.

“The appeal started off quite small but is growing year on year, people like to give at Christmas and toys have been coming in from the public every day,” said Cormac Fitzgerald, president of Lions Club.

“There’s a great spirit of volunteerism in the club.

“We package up the toys and then the HSE, Gardai, Cork City Fire Service, Civil Defence, Coast Guard and army escort them, with Santa, to CUH.

Once delivered to CUH, healthcare workers sort through the hundreds of toys and match them up with children.

Kinsale & District Lions Club also delivers toys to other organisations, schools and charities.

Claire Concannon, executive director of CUH Charity said: “As well as being a breath-taking spectacle, this event with Kinsale Lions Club brings true joy to children at the hospital.

“Staff are fully behind it and it’s a shining example of community solidarity.

“We are deeply thankful to the Lions Club and their supporters for making this an unforgettable experience for our young patients.”