RNIB's Letter from Santa service started in 1988 when one of Santa's elves asked for help when Santa got letters from blind and partially sighted children in braille or audio.
Record number of letters
This year we beat our previous best having sent out 391 letters many from, or on behalf of, children with complex needs.
Breakdown of formats sent out:
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Audio CD x 200 (51 percent)
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Contracted braille x 16 (4 percent)
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Uncontracted braille x 43 (11 percent)
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Large print (from 16pt to 48 pt font) x 110 (28 percent)
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Email x 22 (6 percent)
It's wonderful news that so many blind and partially sighted children around the UK were able to receive a letter from Santa Claus in a format that they can read themselves.
The letters Santa received in 2011
Here are just some of the letters Santa received:
From Jordan aged 13
"Hi Santa my name is Jordan and i am 13. I attend school for the visually impaired and have done for the last 12 months and i have achieved so much since going there. My parents, family and teachers say they are vey proud of what I've achieved and i aim to learn a lot more and work even harder next year. i would really like a new talking dictionary and the new mario brothers DS game for xmas I hope you can deliver these on xmas eve."
From Joshua age 8
"How are your elves? Which elf reads the Braille to you? I have been so good all year. I have helped someone when they have fallen over. I've been good at home. And I would really like a pair of rugby boots and a kicking tee for my rugby and I would like a bus, please. Thank you very much. I hope you have a nice Christmas. From Joshua."
From Suzanna age 3
"Dear Santa, my name is Suzanne. I was born with a rare condition called Lissencephaly, also I suffer with seizures. I'm registered visually impaired so could I please have my message on CD so I can hear it, thank you. My Christmas list: Elmo Rock and Roll, disco mirror ball, a Christmas outfit, bubble lamp, any singing toys, sensory lights, Elmo DVD so I can hear Elmo as I really love Elmo's voice. Thank you so much, from a very special little girl Suzanne x."
From Monica aged 5
"Dear Santa, I'm a 5 year old girl and my biggest wish is that I could see like the rest of my family. I lost my vision, most of it, I learn to read Braille. My Mum writes this letter for me. I know you can't give me my vision back, no one can. If you send me a letter back can you write it in Grade 1 Braille please. I wish for Christmas: A dolly for me and my little sister, a fifi bike, cars for my little brother, CD for my big sister, DVD for my big brother, a book for my teachers, snow for my Mum as she loves Christmas. Thank you Santa, with love Monica."
From Daniel age 8
Hi Santa, I have bad eyes, and am visually impaired, and you send me a letter every year, and I get so happy and excited to receive them, and they really make my christmas very special :) I was born with cataracts, and have had 4 operations, I also have glaucoma, and wear varifocal glasses. My mum calls me he bionic boy and says I'm like astro boy because I have artificial lens implants in my eyes :)For christmas I have asked for lots and lots haha, I really want WWE wrestling figures, lego, moshi monsters, dvd's, games, transformers, star wars toys, spongebob toys, football cards, harry potter toys, toy story toys and books. I would like my letter in large print (anything over font size 16), or on a audio C.D in English and Welsh please :) Thankyou Santa :)."
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Help us to fund more services like this which make a huge impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted children across the UK, donate to RNIB today.