CHRISTMAS came early for children at the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice in Newtownabbey on Friday as Santa paid a visit in his very own 'Santa Bus'.
The double decker is customised to be wheelchair accessible and is owned by former Belfast bus driver and Lottery winner Peter Lavery.
Each child went on board to receive gifts and meet Santa himself. The city's Lord Mayor Arder Carson joined in the celebrations and helped to deliver presents.
More than 300 children with life-limiting diseases and their families from across the north are cared for by the Children's Hospice each year at running costs of £3 million.
The vast majority of its funding comes through public donations, with less than 20 per cent coming from government.
Set up in 1996, it is the only dedicated palliative care service that can offer high level support to young patients with very complex needs who require 24-hour specialist care.
