Santa visiting with Grayson at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 17 as part of a multi-stop tour of hospitals on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

SANTA COMES TO TOWN

“It’s magical for everybody:” Santa touches down at Nanaimo hospital

Dec 17, 2019 | 6:13 AM

NANAIMO — Santa has made his list and checked it twice with staff and patients at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

He flew into the hospital for the fifteenth year of greeting sick children, their families and hospital staff throughout Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

“It’s a delight, I just absolutely love it,” Santa told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Santa loves coming and putting smiles on people’s faces, but it’s the doctors, nurses and paramedics who are the real heroes.”

Santa and his entourage toured a handful of wards including pediatrics, NICU and emergency.

Child, youth and family manager Trina Knight said the visit is a highlight on the holiday calendar for everyone at the hospital.

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“I’ve been here three years in a row, the kids light up and he lights up as well…he has that connection with the kids and staff,” Knight said. “It’s very special, it’s magical for everybody.”

Ray Sims, a 43-year veteran of BC Ambulance’s infant transport team, said the reactions Santa and his crew get every year make the challenges of the job worthwhile.

“I see the rewards of all our work in the eyes when we show up and see the young ones,” Sims said.

Santa departed Nanaimo shortly before noon destined for hospitals in the Lower Mainland before returning to the North Pole for final preparations of his Christmas flight.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley