CHILDREN in the Royal Gwent Hospital were treated to an early Christmas visit from Santa this year, thanks to the work of two fund-raising groups.

Chepstow Round Table and the Cwmbran All Stars scooter club banded together yesterday to bring a sleigh-load of festive cheer to the hospital’s children’s ward.

With £330 raised by the Round Table added to £200 from Bethany Residential Home in Chepstow, and the All Star’s own contribution, organisers bought Christmas presents for the children on the ward.

And yesterday, they delivered them with a little help from Santa, his elves and a scooter-turned sleigh.

Former Chepstow Round Table chair Kevin Jordan helped organise the event with Les Ash and Graham Whittington of the Cwmbran All Stars.

Speaking to the Argus after the event, he said it was fantastic to be able to bring Christmas to those children who face spending the festive season in hospital.

“It was just fantastic,” he said.

“We went around lord knows how many children. From those just admitted, to those facing short stays and others who were really quite poorly.

“A couple of guys from Chepstow Round Table dressed up as elves, and we even had some help from Santa.

“Some of the parents we spoke to were so glad, because they didn’t think they were going to be able to see Santa with their children this year.

“It was absolutely heart-wrenching at times, but brilliant to see the looks of their faces.

“It was really nice to be able to bring Christmas to them and their children.

“We had presents for every child, from young babies up to teenagers.

“The organisers went out and bought the presents a couple of weeks ago.

“We even had a Christmas hamper, which we gave to the hospital staff to share amongst themselves.”

After finishing up at the Royal Gwent, the festive volunteers said they planned to make their way to the Bulwark in Chepstow, giving Santa a chance to listen to children’s last-minute Christmas wish-lists.