Santa Claus and a team of photographers have worked hard over the past week to bring the magic of Christmas to desperately ill children and their families across Australia – as they prepare to spend the holidays in hospital.
Karen Alsop from The Heart Project didn’t want kids spending time in hospital over Christmas to miss out on the joy of the season.
With the help of Photoshop magic, Santa and a team of photographers Ms Alsop and her team of 30 volunteers transported some of the country’s sickest children to a Christmas wonderland.
Sara Chivers, pictured, has terminal brain cancer, her 18-month old son is also fighting brain cancer – but his is a different kind – dad Leigh also decided to hop in the Santa photo during the Christmas Wish to Monash Children’s Hospital
Ayush was excited to pose with Santa – there were 56 portraits made this year – with children from hospitals in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne taking part
The Saddler family gathered in Santa’s lounge room for their Christmas snap – a nice change of scenery from hospital
Baby Brooke was mesmerised by Kevin Harris who dressed as Santa for the very special Christmas photos
This year children from Monash Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney and The Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide were delighted to have their special photo with Santa.
‘It really is magical for them,’ Ms Alsop said, ‘our Santa is just so genuine, he has the real beard and is really good with kids that are struggling.
‘It doesn’t matter if they have learning difficulties or trouble with comprehension, if they are a baby or they are 18 he just really knows how to connect.’
This is the second time The Heart Project have used Kevin Harris as their Santa but he wasn’t the only familiar face in front of the camera this year.
Aiden Rad, pictured, has leukaemia – this is the second year he has been transported to a Christmas wonderland
Last year the then three-year-old had just come from intensive care when he was pictured in his pram
Karen Alsop from The Heart Project, right, pictured here showing Aiden and his parents Hannah Batcheldor and Jamie Rad this year’s special image
Four-year-old Aiden Rad spent his first Christmas in hospital last year – he was pictured in his pram with a sad look on his face, a bald head and bruises scattered up his tiny legs.
He had just come out of ICU where his mother Hannah Batcheldor was told he might die from a rare fungal infection – just weeks after he had been diagnosed with leukaemia.
‘He is doing pretty well now, he has come a long way. Last year was very hard for us, no one wants to hear their child is going to die,’ she said.
John and his family took Santa outside for his Christmas photo – so it was only fitting he was put into the outback Christmas farm scene
Baby Kiara slept peacefully as Santa cradled her in his arms for her Santa snap
Alisha looks like she is watching something magical from her loungeroom window in her magical piece
Santa sat with Naomi Bubner before her photo shoot – discovering what it was she wanted for Christmas
The young boy was excited to see Santa this year – he is almost smiling, riding a tricycle with confidence and has grown a thick head of hair over the last 12 months.
Last year Aiden and his parents lived at the hospital for three months – this year they are hoping to be able to celebrate at home.
‘We have to come once a week for treatment and tests and a nurse comes to see us every day – but as soon as he has a temperature or something we have to go into hospital for antibiotics – we are usually there for a week and a half.
Tracey was excited to have her photo taken – in her photo Santa was looking down at her from outside
Karen Alsop, pictured, is the creator of the Christmas Wish project – she wants it to be global next year
Santa helped this youngster decorate a Christmas tree during his shoot
Ms Alsop, who created the Christmas scenes and coordinated the project plans for it to be global next year.
‘We will supply everything, templates for the background, training and letters to hospitals,’ she said.
The photographer’s favourite part of the Christmas Wish project is unveiling the finished photographs.
‘Some of these families haven’t had their portraits taken for years because it is too hard when you have a sick child,’ she said.
Isla, pictured with her brother, laughed with Santa – her younger sibling looked less impressed with the man in red
Aj was pictured helping Santa put the finishing touches on his Christmas tree this year
Baby Guntaz looked sleepily towards the camera as Santa tried to introduce her to a Christmas decoration
Santa is pictured hiding from Laura and Harley in this festive holiday snap – as the siblings look out into the night
And for Aiden’s family – the unveiling of the portrait has been magic each time.
‘We just love the pictures – they are something we will treasure forever. What she does, these portraits are amazing they aren’t something we would be able to afford,’ she said.
Last year Brittany Long, 18, spent time in hospital after she suddenly became paralysed.
Last year Brittany Long, 18, pictured spent time in hospital after she suddenly became paralysed
This year the young woman who has a passion for photography was behind the camera, traveling across Australia with The Heart Project
Santa is pictured having a laugh with Nathaniel in front of the green screen which is an important tool for the photographers
This year the young woman who has a passion for photography was behind the camera, traveling across Australia with The Heart Project, helping add a little magic to the lives of other sick kids.
Karley Miller, 19, met Karen Alsop after she had half of her brain removed in 2015. She was also behind the camera helping out with this year’s Christmas Wish.
This year 56 families were able to be involved in the project.
Nathaniel looked pleased with his print when Santa and Brittany delivered it to him after the shoot
Lucia and her mum stole Santa’s chair for their photoshoot – the young girl even got to hold the man in red’s bell
Lilah and her mum also had their picture together – they were pictured next to Santa’s Christmas tree