Speaker welcomes families into Parliament to celebrate Christmas early

Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his wife welcomed 12 children with life threatening conditions into Speaker’s House for a special meeting with Father Christmas.

Mr Speaker told the youngsters, aged between three and nine-years-old: ‘I know Christmas has arrived when I see your smiling faces.’

The children, who were brought to London by the Cardiff-based charity Dreams and Wishes, were entertained in the state apartments by story book characters ‘Elsa and Anna’ and ‘Peter Pan’, and soldiers from the Welsh Guards and the Queen’s Dragoon Guards.

They were also invited to sing Christmas songs, played by Dominic Ferris – the ‘piano player to the stars’ - who has produced albums for Dame Shirley Bassey, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.

Dreams and Wishes founder Tony Curtis, MBE, said the annual visit to Parliament was a highlight for the families.

‘Speakers from Bernard Weatherill to Sir Lindsay Hoyle have always given a warm welcome to the charities I have been involved in for 35 years,’ he said.

‘Most of the children are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and spend a lot of time in hospital having treatment.

‘Parliament is such a magical place, and this visit gives the youngsters and their families a break from all of that; a chance to be themselves and to enjoy receiving presents from Father Christmas.’

Mr Speaker’s wife, Lady Catherine Hoyle, met the children and helped distribute the presents before the families left for their next adventure - a visit to the London Eye.