FOUR-year-old James Strahand of Barry was given the special honour of lighting this year's Christmas Tree at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.

James was the star of the show as he joined other patients from the hospital to celebrate the festive period. With a special visit from Father and Mrs Christmas as well as a steel band, made up of eight primary school children, it was a magical day in the hospital.

The festive occasion was all part of a series of events held for the children at Christmas by the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity as part of their Christmas Stocking Appeal.

The Noah’s Ark Christmas Stocking Appeal makes giving simple! Supporters simply donate to a fund via www.noahs-ark-appeal.org to buy a wish list of gifts.

This year’s wish list includes toys, games and equipment which will benefit children on the wards, in the therapy rooms and in the playrooms. In addition to this, money raised by the Christmas Stocking Appeal will also go towards specialist equipment for the new Critical Care Unit in Phase Two which will treat the most vulnerable and seriously ill children in Wales.

Suzanne Mainwaring, director of the Noah’s Ark Appeal said: “This is just one of the events we are lucky enough to be able to hold for the children thanks to all that support our Christmas Stocking Appeal.

"It’s so hard for the patients at the hospital over the festive season, but this was the first of a number of super festive surprises.”