CFS Clients Spend Special Day With Santa Thanks to Loganair
Christmas is still two weeks away, but yesterday (Sunday, 10th December) CLAN clients were treated to a very special day with Santa Clause.
Children and their families who are receiving support from CLAN Cancer Support’s Children and Families Service were treated to a special Santa Flight between Aberdeen and Shetland thanks to the generosity of Scotland’s Airline Loganair.
Children and their families supported by CLAN’s Shetland-based Children & Families Services also joined in the festive fun, with everyone joining for a special festive lunch at The Shetland Hotel.
All the passengers involved were affected by cancer in some way, whether first hand or as a family member or friend. The children were able to have pictures taken with Santa and his elves.
On arrival at Sumburgh Airport they were met by local families who benefit from the Children and Families Service on Shetland, and enjoyed a Christmas-themed afternoon, complete with presents provided by Loganair staff.
Loganair's strategic corporate partnership with CLAN Cancer Support was announced early in October, and CLAN is the airline’s charity partner for 2018.
Tina O’Boyle, CLAN Cancer Support’s Children & Family Service Manager, said: “We are delighted to have worked closely with the Loganair team to deliver such a great opportunity for some of the children who have been supported by CLAN’s Children and Families Service during 2017.
“During the year CLAN supports around 300 children, teens and their families or carers who are affected by a cancer diagnosis throughout north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. We work with children and their families during some of the hardest times in their lives and it is lovely to be able to share some of the happy times too.
“We have welcomed the chance to offer our young clients the experience of being met at the airport by Santa’s elves and singing Christmas carols on a flight with Santa. To be a part of it with them and to share in their joy at Santa’s party in Shetland was a real privilege. I think we all had a wonderful time.
“If anyone would like to find out more about the support we provide for children and their families, they can get in touch with our wellbeing centres in Aberdeen, Inverurie, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Banchory, Elgin, Ballater and Peterhead.“
Loganair commercial director Kay Ryan said: “It was a real pleasure to have CLAN Cancer Support onboard for the Santa Flight to Shetland, on what is the first event in what will be an important relationship for us.
“It’s a special time of the year and we’re thrilled that Santa managed to fit us in to his busy schedule. All of our passengers deserved their fantastic day.
“When we sat down to consider choosing a charity partner for next year, we were clear that we wanted a charity that operated in the communities where we work.
“It became obvious that CLAN was the perfect choice, linking as it does Aberdeen, Loganair has a main base, and Orkney and Shetland, where we also have stations and have provided lifeline services for many years.”
CLAN Cancer Support would also like to thank the many local organisations who helped to make this special day possible including;
Inferno Dance Group
Jenny Teale and guest helpers
Leask’s Coaches
Lerwick Up-Helly-Aa Jarl Squad
Martin Henderson and musicians
Maureen Stevenson, Tesco Community Champion
JW Gray and Co
The Shetland Hotel
The Cullivoe Band
Tesco Shetland
Wendy Lowe, Shetland Youth Services and volunteers
Santa and his fantastic Elves!
