Cosham firefighters set up Santa's grotto for children in hospital

Firefighters have put on a special Christmas show for children who will spend the holidays in hospital.

Crews from Cosham Fire Station in Portsmouth decided to organise festive entertainment for children from the Queen Alexandra Hospital.

They created a Christmas grotto and even found themselves answering an emergency call from Santa himself.

Station commander Lee Sheen said the event brought "joy and excitement" for kids and firefighters alike".

The Cosham Fire Station party began with an entertainer on stage before some of the crews had to answer an important call.

Children then watched the firefighters rescue Santa who had been stuck in a "chimney" that was actually the stations training tower.

After performing the rescue, Father Christmas was then invited inside the commander's office that had been turned into a grotto, with bright lights, music and a Christmas tree.

And Santa was so pleased that he gave presents to all children at the party.

Mr Sheen said it was an opportunity for the kids "to come here and to forget about their worries and their illnesses for a short period of time".

"It's very humbling for us as well as firefighters and everybody on the station," he added.

"It's something that we're very proud that we do and we want to continue to do."

The Cosham firefighters will be visiting the children's ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital to give out presents on Christmas Day.

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