Father Christmas ditches sleigh for helicopter and takes to the skies to visit schools
Staff at RAF Shawbury have been giving Santa's reindeer a rest in preparation for the big day.
On Wednesday Father Christmas left his reindeer at home for a well-earned rest and took to the skies of Shropshire in a Juno helicopter from RAF Shawbury.
Staff at the airbase carefully planned a route that allowed Santa to pay a visit to 17 local schools including Hodnet, Tern Hill, Market Drayton Juniors and Infants, Myddle, Old Hall, Donnington Infants and Juniors, High Ercall, and St Mary’s Shawbury.
After he landed back at RAF Shawbury, Father Christmas said: "I was delighted to meet so many lovely children and I really enjoyed the helicopter flight, which was a lot less bumpy than my reindeer and sleigh. Happy Christmas, everybody.”
Staff, parents and residents flooded the military base's social media with praise and thanks.
One wrote: "A huge festive thank you from all the children and staff at Myddle Primary School & Nursery and Baschurch Primary. The screeches and squeaks of delight and excitement were so good to hear!"
Another commented: "I might have been more excited than the children when you buzzed our office next to the school in Wem!"
