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Markethill Festival send Santa to surprise one very special Armagh girl

Although Scarlett Rose has limited mobility and is non-verbal, the excitement she felt when Santa walked in was clear to all around her

Christmas has come early this year for one very special little girl in Armagh.

Santa Claus and his trusty elf made a quick pit stop to perform a heartwarming house-call after visiting with children at their grotto at Markethill Festival last weekend.

The door they knocked on was at the home of Scarlett Rose, who is just 20 months old.

Scarlett Rose was born with a rare, life-limiting metabolic condition and spent the first year of her life in hospital.

Another recent hospital stay meant that she was forced to miss the grotto experience and was at home when the festival was taking place.

Although Scarlett Rose has limited mobility and is non-verbal, the excitement she felt when Santa walked in was clear to all around her.

Her Grandfather, John, told Armagh I: “The festival got in touch with me to ask if Santa could come down and have a home visit.

“They brought her a wee reindeer and sensory toys. She loved it! She absolutely loved it. She has a fascination with beards, I can’t even shave because she always loves to feel my beard!”

And, despite it being an incredibly busy time of year for the pair, it wasn’t a flying visit!

Continued John: “They stayed with her for about half an hour or so and we just want to say thank-you so much for taking the time to come out and make Scarlett Rose’s day.”

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