'Being in hospital especially at this time of year, is really tough for children ': Santa Claus visits the Royal Hospital for Sick Children as he arrives in Belfast
It’s one of his first stops when he arrives in Belfast for the Christmas season, and for the fifth year, Santa Claus has made it his priority to visit the children at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children before he moves into the grotto at CastleCourt Shopping Centre.
His visit was a day after Santa made a stop at NI Children’s Hospice, and for both the Hospice and the Children’s Hospital wards, CastleCourt loaded Santa’s sleigh with toys for the children, bringing plenty of smiles and excitement and a little Christmas magic during the most challenging of times.
Jacklyn Jamison, Play Services Manager at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children said: “Being in hospital, especially at this time of year, is really tough for children and their families, so we always seek to bring as much joy, as well as normality, as possible.
"CastleCourt’s team organising the Santa Visit is a highlight of our year, it kicks off our festive feelings throughout the Children’s wards and brings so many smiles.
"Santa takes so much time with each family, it is really special for us all.”
Leona Barr, Centre Manager at CastleCourt Shopping Centre added; “This is always a special week as Santa comes to town, ready for his Christmas residency at our all-new grotto.
"It’s important to all of us that his first stop is to see the children at the Royal Hospital, every child should feel the magic of Christmas, no matter where they may be spending it.”
Continuing their community outreach, management at CastleCourt is a drop off point for shoppers to leave gifts that will be donated to Cool FM’s Cash4Kids Mission Christmas initiative.
Mission Christmas aims to make Christmas morning magical for the thousands of Children in Northern Ireland who are at risk of waking up with nothing under the tree because Christmas is a luxury their families cannot afford.
Leona said: “At CastleCourt, we are very proud to have been part of the city centre and wider community for over 35 years.
"We love to give back all year round, but especially at Christmas when so many are going through challenges that hit harder at this time of year.
"We hope, with Santa’s help, that we have spread a little Christmas cheer to those who need it most.”
CastleCourt’s all-new twinkling candy cane grotto is on level one of the shopping centre, with visits starting at £8 per child and packages available.
Visits include meeting and a chat with Santa Claus, and an age-appropriate gift.
Photographs can be purchased separately. For opening hours and prices for all packages, visit castlecourt-uk.com/santa.