Press Release

Airport Christmas party for Crumlin hospital children

Thursday, 25 November 2004

The City of Derry Airport will host a Christmas Party for children from Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin this Saturday, 27 November.

The children will be guests of Aer Arann who will fly them direct from Dublin to Derry on Saturday morning for their annual Christmas party. Santa will be the special guest on the day and a host of entertainment, fun and games has been organised to ensure the children have a real Merry Derry Christmas.

Aer Arann organise an annual Christmas party for children from the hospital and have chosen Derry as the venue for this year’s celebrations.

The Mayor, Councillor Gearoid O’hEara will arrive in style to the party accompanied by Santa and his 100 helpers on board the Open Top Bus, which will depart from the Tourist Office Car Park in the city centre at approximately 11.00 am. The event promises to be a spectacular occasion for everyone involved.

The local Sainsbury’s store at Strand Road have kindly donated sweets and goodies for the children while characters from the local Grove Theatre Group’s Christmas pantomime are expected to drop in for a special guest appearance.

Welcoming the children to the city, the Mayor, Councillor Gearoid O’hEara said he hoped they enjoy their visit to the city.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the children from all over Ireland to get into the Christmas spirit and come to Derry for their Christmas party. We intend holding a fantastic party for the children and have a host of entertainment lined up for the event. We hope the children enjoy their flight from Dublin and get a great welcome when they arrive in Derry.”

John Fogden of Sainsbury’s, Strand Road, said he was delighted to be associated with the event and to be able to contribute towards the Christmas Party.

“Sainsbury’s is delighted to support the children’s Christmas party at the Airport and hope all of the children enjoy the entire experience,” he commented.

Airport Manager, Seamus Devine said he was delighted to host the party for the children. “Obviously we are delighted to welcome the children to the airport and to the city and hope they enjoy the whole experience. Our staff have pulled out all the stops to ensure the children have a great time and return to Dublin with happy memories of their visit to the North West. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed towards making this event happen and hope it will be a great success.”

Commenting on the event, Micheal O’Callarain, Marketing Executive, Aer Arann said: “This is the fourth year that Aer Arann has organised this event for such a vital cause and we are delighted that City of Derry Airport are hosting our Santa's Grotto this year. We have a long association in fundraising for the hospital and it means a great deal to us to get involved in an annual event like this, which brings so much happiness and excitement into the lives of sick children. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank City of Derry Airport, Pride & Joy Toyshop, Sainsbury's, Irish Shell, Aer Rianta Dublin, Beaumex Ltd and Mars Ireland all of whom contributed to this trip’’.

Photo Opportunity

· The children (aged between 3 and 12) are expected to arrive on board an Aer Arann flight at City of Derry Airport at approximately 11.30 am on Saturday, 27 November. The Christmas party will take place in the Airport Departure Lounge before the children depart again for Dublin at 2.30 pm approximately.

· The Mayor, Santa and his 100 helpers and the Grove Theatre Pantomime characters are expected to arrive around 11.45am.

· This year’s Grove Theatre Pantomime will be performing Santa Claus – the Pantomime at the Waterside Theatre (08-11December) and St. Columb’s Hall (15-18 December) at 7.45 pm, with a matinee performance on each of the Saturday’s at 2.15pm.

· Members of the media are asked to report to the Information Desk on arrival at the Airport.

Further press information can be obtained by contacting the City Marketing Department at Derry City Council, Tel. 028 7137 6504.

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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