Christmas cheer was in the air as more than 1600 children and their families descended on Thoroughbred Park on Saturday for the annual Special Children's Christmas Party.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Star Wars Stormtroopers wandered around the centre while Sia Soliola and his Canberra Raiders team mates spent time with the kids on the Viktor the Viking inflatable obstacle course. Children got the opportunity to shoot hoops with the Canberra Capitals and check out fire engines, police motorbikes and ambulances.
There was of course a long line to have a photo with the star of the show, Santa, and each child left with their very own presents.
This was the 22nd year of the party which provides children with serious illnesses, physical or intellectual disabilities or social disadvantages with their own special Christmas party.
Liam O'Donnell attended the first Canberra Christmas party when he was about five-years-old and this year decided to come back and volunteer with his mum Susan.
"I thought it was time to give back to the people that did all this for me when I was a kid," Mr O'Donnell said.
Mrs O'Donnell said she remembered Liam being completely overwhelmed with excitement as a child and as soon as she said she'd like to volunteer Liam jumped on board.
"When Liam [came as a child] they gave out amazing, big presents and that certainly hasn't changed," Mrs O'Donnell said.
Event organiser Donna Bowen, while now based in Brisbane, began putting on the Christmas parties in Canberra 17 years ago and said the city holds a special place in her heart.
"The Canberra kids are just good kids," Ms Bowen said.
"They have manners, they aren't greedy, there's no pushing or shoving."
She said the main focus for the organisation was to put on a day where the children were supported, where they felt comfortable and above all could have fun.
"All kids get invited to birthday parties," she said.
"But for some of these kids they might start to dry up. So this is for them.
"They aren't laughed at, they can just be kids and have fun."
She said there was great educational opportunities on the day, like meeting paramedics or police officers and getting to know the inside of an ambulance so if ever they were in need of one it would hopefully be a less scary experience.
Ben Lowe brought his family to the party, including nine-year-old son Finn, and he said it was a relief for parents.
"You battle all year with a whole heap of things," Mr Lowe said.
"It's nice they put this on where we don't have to worry about anything and can sit back and enjoy it.
"It's very generous."
