Over 30 children from Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin got into the holiday mood when they were guests on the CityJet Santa flight. Joined by their families, the children enjoyed an hour-long flight in the company of Santa, his elves and his little helpers.
The fun got underway at Dublin Airport as the children enjoyed Christmas carols, face painting and party games before taking to the air. Helping out were staff of CityJet, who volunteered their time free of charge, and students from Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan. The day’s activities concluded with a party at CityJet’s headquarters in Swords.
Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Fundraising for Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, said: “This Christmas our nurses and doctors will be busy caring for the babies and children who are too ill or weak to make it home. For the last 13 years, with the help of CityJet, our little patients and their parents have enjoyed this very special day away from their hospital ward. Thank-you CityJet for giving our patients and their families the opportunity to have a break from their treatment, and for helping them to experience the magic of Christmas at a difficult time in their lives.”
Christine Ourmières-Widener, Chief Executive, CityJet, said: “This is the 13th year of our Christmas Santa flight and we were absolutely delighted to once again host children and their families from Temple Street Children’s Hospital. This is always a special and fun day in our calendar and one that the staff really look forward to annually.” She also presented a cheque for €4,000 to the hospital.
“As an Irish company we really appreciate the opportunity of bringing the children and their families to the airport and on board our Christmas Santa flight. It was wonderful to witness again at first hand the delight the children take from the day’s activities. I would like to thank the staff and management at Temple Street, the children’s parents, the students from Loreto, Balbriggan, who help out and our own staff for their efforts. And we were delighted to welcome television presenter Brian Ormond, who joined in the fun this year.”
Television personality Brian Ormond, who was the special guest, said: “When I was asked to join the fun I didn’t think twice as Temple Street is such a great hospital. There was such excitement at the event and it was great and wonderful to meet all the children.”
