Santa joins celebs to bring kids some cheer
He came down from the top of the five-storey medical tower using the lift. He had left Rudolph and the other reindeers in the North Pole to ensure they are in tip top form for Christmas Eve.
Santa joined a host of celebrities, including comedian Brendan O’Carroll, former Irish rugby hooker Shane Byrne, retired Irish boxer Bernard Dunne, Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating, television presenter Kathryn Thomas and rugby analyst and children’s writer Brent Pope.
Watching Santa’s arrival were Kim Carter and her daughter Isabelle, 6, from Kildare.
Isabelle, who is recovering from an eye operation, was in hospital for a regular check-up.
She was delighted when Santa assured her that her presents — a computer game and an MP3 player — were on his list.
Marian Mills, 16, from Ballina, Co Mayo, was a bit grown up for Santa but all the festivities took her mind off a serious bowel operation she was due to undergo in the afternoon.
Marian, who also suffers from a kidney problem, needs surgery to stretch a large intestine and is hoping it will mean an end to the awful abdominal pain she has been suffering since she was born.
“I am hoping for a boyfriend and a good looking one too — nothing dodgy,” said Marian, when asked what she wanted for Christmas.
Also awaiting surgery is Colin Berry, 16 from, Ennis, Co Clare, who was born with hydrocephalus and spinabifida.
A sports fanatic, he was delighted when Shane Byrne called to see him.
His mother, Noelette, said Colin, was hoping to get a Munster tracksuit and maybe an Ireland one too for Christmas.
Colin, who is due to have to have scoliosis surgery early next year, was in for tests.
“The surgery will make a big difference to his quality of life because he has spent the last 18 months in bed,” said Noelette.
Funnyman Brendan O’Carroll held the two and a half week old child of Gerry and Shannon Curtin from Tralee, Co Kerry, and said to his mortified son, Eric, who was born premature: “You were once as small as that. And look what you turned into — a brat.
“This is really Christmas for me,” said Mr O’Carroll. “The least we can do is come in here and bring a bit of cheer. The kids look at us and they don’t know but their parents do and so do the doctors and nurses.”
Mr O’Carroll said he found it particularly upsetting seeing the children in the hospital’s intensive care unit. “I always find it tough because there is nothing I can do to make them feel any better.”
The Celebrity Ward Walk, now in its sixth year, is organised by hospital supporters Valerie and Gary Keating and supported by Heinz Ireland.
About 100 very ill children will spend this christmas in the hospital. Its chief executive, Lorcan Birthistle, said every effort is made to get as many children home at this time of year.
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