Skip to content

The Christmas presents delivered by RAF helicopter

Chris McHugh
BBC News
Patients from Oxford children's hospital received gifts from Santa on his... helicopter

Santa swapped his sleigh for an RAF helicopter to deliver presents to Oxfordshire's children's hospital.

Father Christmas was flown in a Puma chopper from RAF Benson to the base's primary school to pick up the presents.

After flying over 45 primary schools he was then dropped off at the John Radcliffe Hospital to deliver presents donated by RAF Benson personnel and their families, as well as local children.

The Santa Drop is in its sixth year and is organised by the RAF Benson Youth Activities Liaison Team.

A young child in a mobility wheelchair smiles at the camera whilst being handed a present by a man dressed as Santa.
Ronnie, 8, was one of the children to receive a present

Flight Lieutenant Jenny Broome said: "[There was] such joy, such excitement.

"Some schools even made Father Christmas shapes out of their pupils which was a phenomenal effort."

Zoe, mum of Aiden, 8, said: "When [the children] are here, they're medical children and living their illness.

"So when they do something like this, just for once they're a normal child."

During the flight, Santa kneeled by the open door of the Puma helicopter to wave at children who watched from outside their schools.

Asked how he found the flight, Santa said: "I'm a few thousand years old so my knees aren't doing too badly [considering].

"It was a bit bumpy up there but great to see all the children."

From the top of a building a man dressed as Santa waves to unseen people after stepping off a large RAF helicopter. He is holding a brown sack full of presents and a the top of an apartment building can be seen in the background
Santa flew over 45 local schools before arriving at the John Radcliffe Hospital

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

RAF Benson