The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) escorted Santa to the RCH this morning for the 80th consecutive year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tradition began in 1928 in the hospital in Pelham Street Carlton when a fireman’s child was sick in the hospital on Christmas Day.\u00a0 His colleagues decided to take Santa to visit the children.\u00a0 This was the beginning of the ‘once-a-year club’ with doctors and fire-fighters as members.\u00a0 Over the years the visit has become a family affair with the fire-fighters joined by their families, dressed as clowns, and MFB musicians joining in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hospital staff also bring their families in each year to join in festivities with the patients and their families.\u00a0 Surgeon Professor John Hutson hasn’t missed a Christmas day at RCH in 30 years, and always brought his own children when they were young.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To mark the special 80th year, staff and families shared in a cake that was decorated by one of the fire-fighters.<\/p>\n
Enquiries: Julie Webber 9345 5522 and page<\/p>\n
Christmas media<\/p>\n