A touching Christmas surprise for Mick Hodgson, a 77-year-old great-grandfather battling prostate cancer, was made possible when reindeer visited him in his hospice room, creating a truly magical moment for the former Father Christmas. Mick, who served as Santa for 20 years at Harwich Centre Pre-school in Essex, had volunteered to bring holiday cheer to children every year until cancer took its toll.
While being cared for at St Helena Hospice in Colchester, Mick’s room was brightened by a visit from reindeer. “It felt wonderful to see the reindeer,” he said. “I’ve got amazing memories of my time as Father Christmas, and this experience was unforgettable.”
Mick’s wife, Lorraine, was initially unsure if he was hallucinating when he mentioned the reindeer, but soon realized it was real after seeing the beautiful animals herself later in the hospice reception. “The hospice staff go above and beyond, and we are so grateful to them,” Lorraine shared.
Even after his diagnosis in 2019, Mick continued to dress up as Santa until last year. “He was devastated not to be able to do it this year, but this experience has been so uplifting,” Lorraine said. “The hospice makes what should be a difficult time as joyful as possible.”
Carole Morgan, the manager of Harwich Centre Pre-school, spoke fondly of Mick’s dedication, saying, “He brought so much Christmas magic to hundreds of children. His kindness and gentle spirit made him a favorite among the little ones, and he always took the time to make every child feel special.”
The reindeer visit was organized by the David Randall Foundation, a charity founded in memory of cricketer David Randall, who passed away from cancer at 27. The foundation aims to create memorable experiences for people in Essex with terminal or life-limiting illnesses. Sue Randall, who manages the foundation, expressed her happiness about making Mick’s Christmas special. “It warms my heart to know that we could bring so much joy to Mick during this time,” she said.
Source: BBC
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