Christmas comes early to Red Cross Children’s Hospital

Christmas came early to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital when Father Christmas took time out from his busy schedule to visit the hospital on 17 December 2015 to spread some festive cheer during their annual Christmas Parade. 

Christmas can be a tough time of year for children and their families to spend in the hospital, but with the help of Newkidz on the Block, Heart FM and Game, enough toys were collected as part of their annual toy drive to ensure all children at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Tygerberg Children’s Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital received gifts. 

“The best part about the holiday season is the spirit of giving.  It is always a pleasure visiting the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and being able to brighten the lives of children over the festive season.  It gets my festive season started in a very special way,” said Father Christmas. 

The fun began when Father Christmas left the Cape Town Stadium for the hospital, escorted by a special vehicle cavalcade supported by HOG Chapter Cape Town, Melomed24 Ambulance Services, Game, Heart FM and the City of Cape Town’s Traffic and Fire and Rescue Services. 
The fun-filled parade also included superheroes from No Danger Diaries abseiling from the roof of the hospital and other fun activities to keep the children entertained, such as the hugely popular animal petting zoo, kiddies rides, face painting and magic shows. 

The Christmas Parade is the most looked forward to event on the hospital’s calendar and is enjoyed by patients and staff alike.

The Friends of the Children’s Hospital Association (FOCHA) believe that physical and emotional healing work simultaneously and such support from donors are vital in helping the hospital progress its services. Through these generous donations, FOCHA is able to ensure that every patient receives a gift – for sick or injured children who spend days, weeks and sometimes months in hospital, being able to enjoy something that takes their mind off their condition, is so very special and contributes to making Christmas at the hospital truly magical for the sick children.

“This Toy Story campaign allows all members of the public (both young and old), an opportunity to experience the wonderful act of kindness in giving a gift to someone less fortunate than ourselves. We do not know what the impact or repercussions of these acts of kindness will be to both the receiver and the giver but we believe that joy, love and hope will resound throughout our country as a result of this," said Hilda de Beer from Newkidz on the Block.

Toni O’Connell, Head of Brand Heart FM, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Game and Newkidz on the Block for the Toy Story initiative. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that a small gesture will bring joy and touch the hearts of kids less fortunate over the festive season.” 

Game’s Marketing and Customer Director, Mark Turner said: "As a responsible corporate citizen, we at Game strive to make an impactful contribution to the upliftment of societies through our extensive corporate social investment program. One of the ways in which we do this is through Toy Story with Heart FM and Game. It is always such a delight to see the new found smiles and laughter that break forth as the hospitalized children are handed their individually wrapped gifts. The feeling of knowing that a positive change has been made in the lives of these precious children is priceless.”

Western Cape Minister of Health, Prof. Nomafrench Mbombo, thanked every contributor to the Christmas Parade. “We thank everyone involved in making Christmas a memorable time for our patients at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. These precious gifts will bring hope to every little patient in the hospital. We wish all families well for the festive period.”