Skip to content

VIDEO: Santa visits sick kids at Surrey Memorial Hospital

The helicopter was a no-go, but the big man himself was able to visit children in Surrey

Sometimes, even Santa has to change his route due to the weather.

On Tuesday, Saint Nicholas came to Surrey Memorial to visit some of the children staying at the hospital.

However, Santa had to make a change of plans after snowfall hit the region Tuesday morning. The Now-Leader caught up with the big man himself to hear all about his journey to Surrey Memorial.

“Oh, it was a very bumpy ride,” said Saint Nick. “We left the reindeer behind because we thought, ‘Oh, it’s going to be dry in Vancouver and we don’t want to be grinding on everybody’s roof.’ So, we came down to take the helicopter. All of a sudden, it started to snow and in the snow, helicopters turn in to snowballs,” he said, followed by a jolly ‘ho ho ho.’

“We decided to be safe, and the ambulance service was nice enough to bring us here.”

Sure enough, Santa and his elf came out of the ambulance at the front entrance of Surrey Memorial with a bag full of toys for children. They were sure to spend time kids of all ages, from teenagers recovering from illness all the way to newborn babies.

Helijet has worked with Surrey Memorial to bring this heartfelt event to children at the hospital for the last 13 years. Santa also travelled to B.C. Children’s Hospital to visit the new Teck Acute Care Centre after his visit in Surrey.

Alison Everett is a child care specialist and was Santa’s unofficial tour guide. Everett said she was thrilled to help organize this event again for children at Surrey Memorial.

“What happens for kids when they’re in hospital is that nothing is familiar, nothing is normal and they have no control,” she said. “When someone like Santa comes to pay a visit, it’s a little reminder that life goes on, life is good and that life has happy aspects.

“Santa feels homey, and that’s a good feeling for kids in a place where nothing feels homey.”



trevor.beggs@surreynowleader.com

Like us on Facebook and follow Trevor on Twitter

9878612_web1_copy_171219-SNW-M-SantaSurrey
Santa visits a one-month-old child at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 19th. (Photo: Trevor Beggs)
9878612_web1_SantaSurrey1
Santa smiles with the staff at Surrey Memorial Hospital during his visit on Tuesday, Dec. 19th. (Brianna Menzies-Vaught)
9878612_web1_171219-SNW-M-171219-SNW-M-SV-6-2
No helicopter, but the ambulance was able to bring Santa to Surrey Memorial Hospital on Tuesday. (Trevor Beggs)
9878612_web1_171219-SNW-M-SV-2
Santa brought smiles to kids all afternoon at Surrey Memorial Hospital. (Brianna Menzies-Vaught)
9878612_web1_171219-SNW-M-SV-4
He made sure to visit those of all ages. (Trevor Beggs)
9878612_web1_171219-SNW-M-SV-5
He visited those who were about to have their first Christmas. (Trevor Beggs)
9878612_web1_171219-SNW-M-SV-7
He didn’t forget about the staff either. (Trevor Beggs)
9878612_web1_171219-SNW-M-SV-1
Just after surgery, Santa made sure to bring some Christmas spirit. (Brianna Menzies-Vaught)