Big heroes at work for little heroes

The young patients at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Jena University Hospital (UKJ) received a visit from the air today. On St. Nicholas Day, the Jena fire department went out on a special mission: From the basket of a turntable ladder, Santa Claus and the Christmas elf delivered small gifts directly through the window into the patients' rooms. Four superheroes also abseiled down from the 20-metre-high roof of the hospital building and showed the boys and girls some acrobatic feats at the windows.

"We would like to thank the Jena height rescuers for thinking of us again this year. The event made many children's eyes light up today. When does the fire department Santa Claus ever knock on the window and bring presents? Something very special for our little patients," said Prof. Dr. Hans Proquitté, Acting Director of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the UKJ.

The city of Jena financed the 60 or so gifts. In addition to something sweet, each child received a cuddly toy in a gift bag. The fire department dragon Grisu was particularly popular.

The Jena height rescue team took part in a nationwide campaign with this surprise. Today, 52 SRHT units ("Special Rescue from Heights and Depths") throughout Germany brought a little joy to sick children and distracted them a little from everyday hospital life. Last year, the Jena comrades were already active with a similar campaign at the children's hospital at Christmas.