A special guest took time out of his busy schedule this week to spread some festive joy to children at Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Father Christmas along with his trusty elf made a ‘flying visit’ to the hospital via a Merlin helicopter. Before landing, the helicopter flew around the hospital with Santa waving from the open cargo door.

Santa and his elf were joined by navy aircrew and engineers to hand out gifts and meet the children.

Falmouth Packet: Father Christmas brings festive cheer to the poorly children at Treliske Father Christmas brings festive cheer to the poorly children at Treliske (Image: Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust)The visit was part of a long affiliation between the Children’s Unit and 820 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose in Helston.

Lieutenant James Gillespie said: “We are delighted to have continued our link with the Children’s Unit and to do our bit to help those who find themselves in hospital during the festive period.

“I am grateful to the hospital staff and for the kind generosity of all of those donated presents from across RNAS Culdrose and the local community.”

Falmouth Packet: The children looked delighted by the special visitors The children looked delighted by the special visitors (Image: Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust)The visit was also special for the sailors who joined Father Christmas, as many of them have recently returned from the North Atlantic, having deployed in the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

This isn’t the first time Father Christmas has made a special visit to children in Cornwall via helicopter. As previously reported in the Packet, Nansloe Academy and St Michael’s primary schools in Helston were each treated to a special visit from Father Christmas and his elf earlier this month.