Santa pays a little girl a visit on Tuesday afternoon at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (Island Health)

By Jordan Davidson

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Dec 15, 2021 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — Jolly Old Saint Nick made an appearance at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) to spread cheer to children at Island hospitals.

While this event was limited last year due to the pandemic, this time around Santa was able to go to a few B.C. hospitals for a quick visit and hand out toys with the use of a BC Ambulance Service helicopter.

Santa said he wants those children who may have to spend Christmas in hospital to know that he has not forgotten about them.

“Santa will not forget you over Christmas. No matter how sick they are, no matter how long they’re in hospital, Santa is going to be here and make sure he visits them on Christmas Eve. Ho Ho Ho!”

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Santa Claus said it’s hard to describe the feeling when he walks into a hospital and sees the looks of joy wash over kids’ faces.

“I cannot describe it, it’s absolutely marvelous. I go in and I see parents and children, and it should break my heart because they are so sick and the parents are so worried about their children. And then their eyes light up, and I’m so happy to see them! Ho Ho Ho Ho!”

He said parents are usually just as happy to see him as the kids are, for different reasons.

“The adults are terribly vulnerable. These are their children and they are terrified of what could happen. They seem to be very grateful to see me.”

Helijet president Daniel Sitnam said every year feels special when he sees the faces of the kids when Santa comes through the door.

“Words can’t say enough when we’re in the moment of doing it, it’s just something that is a little overwhelming at times and quite humbling to actually see the faces and the expressions when Santa starts walking from the helicopter to the front of the hospitals… It’s overwhelming, Sitnam said.

Santa started his day in Victoria before coming to Nanaimo and spent the rest of his afternoon spreading cheer by flying to other hospitals in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Surrey, and New Westminster.

This is the 17th year that Helijet and BC Emergency Health Services worked with Santa to complete this tour of B.C. hospitals.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow