Santa takes time out of busy schedule to visit Sheffield

He flew in from Lapland courtesy of steel giant Outokumpu to team up with staff from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Doncaster and Sheffield Lord Mayor, Councillor Talib Hussain, to deliver presents to local children.

A grotto was set up in Sheffield’s Town Hall, where children each got to chat to the special visitor before they received a Christmas present.

Santa read to the youngsters and there were games and competitions.

The event was organised by Sheffield City Council with help from Outokumpu and Amazon in Doncaster.

Members of Amazon’s local charity committee deliver £5,000 worth of toys and games for the children.

Speaking from Santa’s grotto, Amazon’s Nathan Fetherston, said: “It’s been wonderful to be part of today’s event and it’s fantastic to deliver the presents to children in Sheffield.

“The City Council has done a brilliant job in organising the event and on behalf of the team at Amazon in Doncaster I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas.”

Philip Rodrigo, Honorary Consul of Finland in Sheffield and Senior Vice President at Outokumpu, said: “For me this is a great thing to do for our local children, just to bring a smile to their faces. I’m also delighted to be bringing Santa, one of Finland’s most famous exports to Sheffield. I am really happy that he is able to take a day off for this great cause during this busy time of year for him and his team in Lapland.”

Sheffield‘s Lord Mayor, Councillor Talib Hussain, added: “We are really grateful to the Finnish Embassy for bringing Santa to Sheffield at such a busy time of the year for him. It was also very generous for Outokumpu and Amazon to support this event that I am sure will be remembered by the children for the rest of their lives.”