Santa slides into Laois on Christmas visit to kids at Portlaoise hospital

There was great excitement in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise this Christmas thanks to a very special visitor …. Santa Claus!

The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital organised a Santa's visit to kids in the Paediatric Ward. The Friends were delighted to accept a cheque from the People First Credit Union which allowed the committee to purchase the presents for the visit and the Christmas period.

The Friends say Santa visited many kids and their families who were delighted to see him coming through the door.

Santa then made his way through the different wards within the hospital to visit patients and sing a Christmas carol.

Terry Byrne, lead singer and guitarist, with local band The Valves. was present to sing festive songs and lift spirits throughout the hospital during the event on Wednesday, December 20. MORE BELOW PICTURE. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Terry Byrne, The Valves, Carol Murphy, People First Credit Union Marketing Manager, Santa, Emily Hannify, peadiatric nurse, Áine Reams, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital.

Áine Reams, Treasurer, spoke about the event.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to Carol and the People First Credit Union. We are very thankful to have been a beneficiary of the Community Funding Scheme.

“This allowed for a multitude of gifts to be purchased for kids who will be inpatients over the Christmas period. It brought such joy, and it was lovely to see their little faces light up. Santa and Terry also made their way through the different wards of the hospital which lifted spirits.

Pictured: Emily Maher, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, Terry Byrne, The Valves, Carol Murphy, Marketing Manager, People First Credit Union Portlaoise, Santa Claus, Emily Hannify, Paediatric Nurse, Áine Reams, Treasurer Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, Ger Egan, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, Aoife Reams Secretary, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, Emma Dempsey, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital and Sarah Preston, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital.

"A special thank you also to Shay Preston who played a very important role on the night, and to Joe Maher, Alastair, and Marek from Vimar for capturing all of the special moments,” she said.

Pictured at the hospital were Tom Timmons, Chairman of Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, launches the Gala ball with fellow Friends members Aoife Reams, Secretary, Áine Reams, Treasurer, Emma Dempsey, Shay Preston, Emily Maher, Ger Egan and Sarah Preston. Also present was the Ball sponsor Martin Reddin, MD Martin Reddin Ltd, Terry Bryne, The Valves as well as hospital staff Mick Farrell, Nursing Admin, Emily Hanniffy, Paediatric Nurse.

Santa was also on hand to help The Friends of Laois Hospital launch a Gala Fundraising ball to be held next April.