Being in the hospital around the holidays isn't what anybody envisions, but the community and the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia try to make it a little easier for sick children.
Santa himself paid a visit to the pediatric ward this morning (Dec. 13), in hopes of bringing some Christmas joy to children and families.
St. Nick visited multiple kids with gifts aplenty.
"Everybody needs a little bit of Christmas cheer," he said. "When you're sick and you're not feeling great, you need some extra help."
Northern Health communications officer Eryn Collins says the visit has been a yearly tradition for at least the last 10 years. But it's not the health authority's initiative.
"This is a member of the community who supports Santa's visit here every year," says Collins. "We just appreciate that generosity, and thinking about the people we have in our care and providing them with a little extra support around the holidays."
Gifts included candy canes (of course), chocolates, stuffed animals and other holiday items.
"This one here is special because again, sick children need a little bit of joy and happiness and this will help them get better and healthy and they'll be home for Christmas," said Santa. "I'll be there as well on Christmas Eve."
