Santa brought Christmas cheer to patients and families at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) on Christmas Day.

For the 84th consecutive year the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) brought Santa to the RCH in a convoy of 10 fire trucks, along with a festive group of helpers that included clowns and MFB musicians.

After greeting patients, families and staff in Main Street, Santa visited the wards and handed out Christmas gifts to patients.

MFB acting deputy chief officer David Bruce said the event was always a highlight for the firefighters and volunteer performers who took part.

“For our firefighters who are away from their families on Christmas Day it gives them quite a deal of joy just being involved,” Mr Bruce said.

The tradition began at the RCH in Pelham Street, Carlton in 1928 when firemen took Santa to visit another fireman’s child in hospital. This was the beginning of the ‘Once A Year Club’ with RCH medical staff and firefighters as members.

Click here to read more about Santa’s Christmas Day visit to the RCH on the Herald Sun website.