Santa Visits Schools - On Military Chopper

Despite Rudolph's red nose being a proven navigational aid, this year, Father Christmas has decided to leave the sled in the North Pole this week and opt for the manoeuvrability of a Squirrel HT1 military issue helicopter.

The chopper has been provided for alternative transport to schools and hospitals around Shropshire and its neighbouring counties thanks to the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury.

The helicopter assisted local schools by providing 'Santa Drops' as crews transported Santa to hundreds of children in the run up to Christmas.

Sergeant Steve Wright, from the RAF Careers Office in Liverpool, said: "Our aim is to raise morale amongst the children in hospital over Christmas by delivering Christmas presents in a way only the RAF can. The presents are bought by charitable donations from RAF personnel serving at various RAF stations from around the UK.

"This is the seventh year the RAF have arranged this event and last year's was a resounding success, bringing a smile to many children's faces."

The MoD said each of the flights provided vital training for the crews, who were able to fly their helicopters into and land in areas they would not normally be able to utilise.

In the run up to RAF Shawbury closing down for Christmas, helicopters carried Father Christmas to St Mary's Primary School in Shawbury, and Shawbury Village, as well as to Meole Brace, Oakmeadow, Longlands, Rosymeadre, Alexandra, St John the Baptist, Oxon, Newtown, Holmer Lake, and Myddle Primary Schools, and Hazels' Farm Nursery.

A crew from the Central Flying School also provided a Santa Drop into Hope House Hospice.

In addition to visiting local schools, a crew from 60 (Reserve) Squadron of the DHFS assisted the RAF Careers Office in Liverpool by flying Santa to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on Friday 16 December 2011.

The intention was to also fly into Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, but unfortunately, they were beaten by the weather and had to drop Santa off in a field near Manchester to continue his journey by road. Santa was assisted in giving out presents to sick children by members of staff from the Careers offices in Liverpool and Manchester.

Alwyn Hughes, Head of Children's Services at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, said: "Our young patients really enjoy the chance to have a word with Father Christmas, and the gifts he brings – with the generous support of the RAF – really do spread Christmas cheer and brighten up their day."

It's not yet known whether Santa will adopt the new form of transport for his formal Christmas deliveries on December 24, but insiders at the North Pole revealed to 4NI that an AH-64 Apache Gunship shaped parcel was delivered to Father Christmas in the early hours of Monday night.

(DW)