Samantha Barrell, senior nursing assistant on the Pendleton Unit at East Surrey Hospital helped Father Christmas when he recently came to East Surrey Hospital as an outpatient.
Santa Claus who is also known as Colin Stiff, a retired policeman has been volunteering for the last 43 years and every Christmas for the last 15 years he has been bringing festive cheer to East Surrey Hospital, said: “I enjoy bringing festive cheer to the hospital, the staff here are amazing and kind and I think this is the best hospital in the world.”
Colin, 75, from Salfords, told Samantha he had been burgled earlier in this year and, amongst other items, the red velvet trousers, from his Santa suit, which he purchased from Harrods, had been stolen.
Samantha was so moved by Colin’s story she began a social media campaign to find him some replacement Santa trousers. Samantha said: “His story really touched my heart, I wanted to do something to help because he has touched the hearts of so many children over the years.”
Less than a day after the campaign started someone had donated new red trousers for Colin and the Pendleton Unit team presented them to him at his appointment today (16 December).
Staff at Pendleton unit gather round Santa
