Mr Jolly, Children to Lapland Appeal magician describes his day
TEN YEARS AGO I was asked to provide entertainment by the Children to Lapland Appeal, which runs day trips to see Santa for terminally ill children.
There was a seven-year-old boy who was particularly intrigued by my show. I still remember his face as I sat beside him and taught him some magic. Next day he died. I still get emotional thinking about him. I vowed I would always help this charity.
I arrive at the airport in costume at 5am and spend the first while entertaining the children as they check in. My friend Rory, an oversized rabbit, helps. Most come
with either Mum or Dad,
but some have nurses or hospital staff travelling with them, too. I board early and help get the plane ready, with balloons and streamers. We charter the plane, so it's ours for the day.
The fun starts the minute the kids get on board, with colouring competitions and a live link over the tannoy from Santa. He can see us on his radar, so he knows we're on our way.
The first time I did the trip we were met off the plane at Lapland by reindeer sleighs, which was amazing. After 9/11 that all changed, and now we have to go through security like everybody else. We then go to a special hanger where everyone is given thermalwear and boots.
After that we get back on the coach bound for Santa. Think of the best fairy tale imaginable and you'll have some idea. We have to walk through a forest along a path lit only by oil lamps. At the end of the trail is a frozen lake and, on a corner of it, all lit in greens and reds, is Santa's house. It's just magical.
While we're crossing the lake we pass little tepees with locals dressed in traditional costume who greet us with hot berry drinks. Then the children chat with Santa. He's fantastic. He knows me of old now, but he always knows each child by name, too, which amazes them. He gives them a gift, and then it's back outside for snowmobiling and tobogganing.
After lunch I do my big magic show, and then it's back to the airport. The flight home is one big party, too, with karaoke and a full Christmas dinner. We give out more streamers and balloons and have two competitions, one to see who can decorate their seat the best and another to see who can make their seat the cleanest, which gets a bigger prize.
We're back in Dublin by about 11pm, and I wave them all off. Then I head to an airport hotel before getting back up to do it all again the next day.
In conversation with Sandra O'Connell
www.childrentolapland appeal.ie