Multiflight helicopter flies in Santa for children’s hospice Christmas surprise

Multiflight, online marketing company Infoserve and Emmerdale stars helped to make it a Christmas to remember for children and their families at Martin House Hospice Care for Children and Young People in Boston Spa today (Tuesday December 17^th).

Multiflight provided a VIP Airbus H155 helicopter from its fleet of VIP charter helicopters to fly Santa in with presents and among Santa’s helpers were Emmerdale stars Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in the popular soap, and Joshua Richards, who takes the role of Bear Wolf.

Waiting to greet them at the hospice were children, parents, family members and hospice staff.

Multiflight and Infoserve joined forces this year to provide a helicopter and presents for a special treat for the children, young people and their families.  Thanks go to Infoserve, an online marketing company based in Leeds and Darlington, and its staff for providing the presents, and also to the Boston Spa farmers allowing the helicopter to land in their field.

“We absolutely love being part of this special Christmas visit to Martin House Hospice, which is a real treat for the children, their families and the staff; it is a highlight of our year,” says Hayley Drake, Multiflight’s Charter Manager.

“We are delighted the Emmerdale stars could join us this year.  Martin House Hospice is a fantastic, deserving charity which we have proudly supported for a number of years and the arrival of Santa and the Emmerdale stars was a wonderful occasion for everyone at the hospice.”

Derek Oliver, Infoserve CEO, said: “Christmas is a special time for families and Infoserve is very pleased to be able to support this memorable day for children and families at Martin House Children’s Hospice by providing the presents.”

Clair Holdsworth, Director of Care at Martin House, says: “Santa arriving in his helicopter is one of the highlights of our Christmas calendar. Many of the children who come to Martin House are too poorly or find it difficult to visit Santa in his grotto, so it is lovely to be able to bring Santa to them in such a special way.

“Santa’s visit to Martin House in a helicopter is a special memory the whole family can treasure, and we want to say a big thank you to everyone involved in making it happen.” 

The hospice needs to raise over £9 million annually to run the service, providing community care and also care at its purpose-built hospice in Boston Spa, Wetherby, for children and young people across West, East and North Yorkshire.  Martin House offers family-led care for children with life-limiting conditions, including respite care, emergency care and end of life care. Every year the hospice supports more than 420 children and young people and their families and also 150 bereaved families.

To find out more about the hospice and the service it provides, or to make a donation, visit www.martinhouse.org.uk

Pictures show the Santa visit to Martin House Children’s Hospice today.