Santa gets a little help for special children

Bord Gáis Energy staff were liaising with the North Pole last night to help Santa Claus make it a Christmas to remember for some very special children.

The Cork-based staff were given expert wrapping and ribbon advice by Santa’s elves as they packed toys and tasty hampers for delivery to up to 50 specially selected families across the city before Christmas Eve.

A spokesman for the North Pole said Santa is just so busy this year that he needed some extra help to ensure everyone on his list got what they asked for.

Last night, the gas company staff were ensconced in a secret city centre location where they were checking Santa’s list, twice, to ensure the children on his list wake up to a special surprise on Christmas morning.

The staff have been working for weeks with children’s charity Barnardos, which supports families living in poverty.

The staff approached dozens of businesses across the city who donated a raft of goods and services for the initiative.

“With support and donations from local traders, the staff set a fundraising target of €7,500 and Bord Gáis Energy has agreed to match all monies raised,” a spokesperson said.

The Cork staff were joined by Dublin-based colleagues at the Boardwalk bar and grill for the final phase of the operation last night — wrapping the hampers and an auction.

Barnardos, which estimates that one in 10 children in Ireland are living in consistent poverty, said they are very grateful to everyone who has supported their toy appeal this year.