Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust welcomed the Cisco Connected Santa experience for a second year running on Thursdaylast week, bringing some Christmas magic to the Children’s Ward at Royal Preston Hospital.
As part of their initiative to give back to communities, Cisco hosts Connected Santa, an employee-led programme that gives children a chance to meet with Santa and his elves via WebEx, and donates gifts to those in hospital.
Last year, the Connected Santa programme visited 19 hospitals across the UK, including Royal Preston Hospital for the first time, meeting nearly 500 children total.
Planning started in June to begin procuring gifts and donations, while the technical logistics of bringing Santa to children via a live TV link are worked through.
Cisco and hospital staff combine to play a huge part behind the magic, with an Elves’ workshop and Grotto prepared in advance, while Santa even spoke live to some children unable to leave their bed on the ward via an iPad.
Santa is secretly prepped in advance, by a ‘whisper chat’ between one of his elves, who speaks to the children and their parents so he will know each child's name, age, and what they would like for Christmas.
The smiles on the children’s faces are priceless as they wonder how Santa knows who they are and what is on their Christmas list, and after each child gets to spend a special one-on-one moment with Santa, they also get to receive a Christmas gift.
Trust Play Specialist, Emily Hodgson, said: “All the families had a brilliant afternoon and the feedback was great from all involved. Thank you to all involved for making the children smile and have a wonderful afternoon in hospital that they will remember forever.
“I loved the communication between the elves and Santa and how they really thought about each child individually. It was a wonderful experience for all!”
