The Christmas presents delivered by RAF helicopter

Media caption,

Patients from Oxford children's hospital received gifts from Santa on his... helicopter

  • Published

Santa swapped his sleigh for an RAF helicopter to deliver presents to Oxfordshire's children's hospital.

Father Christmas was flown in a Puma chopper from RAF Benson to the base's primary school to pick up the presents.

After flying over 45 primary schools he was then dropped off at the John Radcliffe Hospital to deliver presents donated by RAF Benson personnel and their families, as well as local children.

The Santa Drop is in its sixth year and is organised by the RAF Benson Youth Activities Liaison Team.

Image caption,

Ronnie, 8, was one of the children to receive a present

Flight Lieutenant Jenny Broome said: "[There was] such joy, such excitement.

"Some schools even made Father Christmas shapes out of their pupils which was a phenomenal effort."

Zoe, mum of Aiden, 8, said: "When [the children] are here, they're medical children and living their illness.

"So when they do something like this, just for once they're a normal child."

During the flight, Santa kneeled by the open door of the Puma helicopter to wave at children who watched from outside their schools.

Asked how he found the flight, Santa said: "I'm a few thousand years old so my knees aren't doing too badly [considering].

"It was a bit bumpy up there but great to see all the children."

Image caption,

Santa flew over 45 local schools before arriving at the John Radcliffe Hospital

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