19 December 2022
Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo
Santa Claus arrived in style on Thursday December 15 at Nazareth House, Co. Sligo with his own Garda escort.
The frosty air did little to dampen the spirits of the 130 children who greeted Santa outside with cheers and waves.
Organised by HSE Nazareth House staff, Service users of CAMHS, (Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services) CDNT ( Children’s Disability Network Team) and Primary Care services in addition to children of staff all excitedly queued to meet Santa.
After hearing their Christmas wishes Santa and his elves gave the children a treat for being so good all year.
Festive cheer was in abundance as music was provided not only by the staff choir, but also by a Ukrainian choir, Kalyna. Dressed in traditional Ukrainian attire, they performed music from their home country.
There was an extra treat in store for the children with the arrival of Sligo Rovers Players Garry Buckley, Kailan Barlow, Greg Bolger, Niall Morahan, and Colin Feehily.
As well as joining in the music, the players brought delight to many young fans by getting their photos taken with them.
Across the way in the Nazareth House Nursing Home, Christmas was also in the air with a Christmas fair in full swing.
Some of the residents reminisced on Christmas’s long ago.
Bridie Doyle originally from Longford recalled Christmas as a child “There wasn’t much money in my younger days. We lived on a farm and hadn’t much. I looked forward to santy coming. I used to get an orange and apple”.
Tess Lynch originally from Templeboy said, “Christmas was very good. My mother would cook a big goose and have all the trimmings. How she got to mass and home with all that to do I often wondered. We’d go then and visit my aunt Kate and uncle James and have a second dinner! She was a great cook. I have good memories of it.”
Pearse McCosker, originally from Ballyshannon said the staff at Nazareth House were very kind to him. “The staff are all nice, I couldn’t ask for better.”
The HSE would like to thank all those who attended, the Sligo Rovers players, the Kalyna choir, the Gardai and Santa and his elves for helping to make the day one to remember.
ENDS
Last updated on: 19 / 12 / 2022
