Christmas came early for patients at a Dubai hospital yesterday as an army of Santas marched through the corridors armed with good will and gifts.

A total of 41 elves, Christmas trees, reindeers and bearded men flew all the way from America with the sole purpose of spreading festive cheer to young and old at City Hospital in Dubai.

“I’m not sure if this has helped my blood pressure,” said 25-year-old Imiramr Basim, who was under observation for hypertension. “It’s a big surprise to see all these Santas come through the door.”

But the Jordanian added: “It’s a very nice thing and they gave me some presents.”

The Christmas convoy consists of pensioners from across America who come together once a year and visit hospitals, schools and orphanages. This year, they chose Dubai.

Elwyn Johansen is 83 and has been slipping into a Santa suit since 1984.

He said: “We’ve been all over the world. We were in Berlin when the wall came down.

We were in Russia when communism came down. And now we’re in Dubai.”

Nine-year-old Persephone Reyes and sister Norcady, six, were among the youngsters at City Hospital to be given a Christmas treat.

Persephone, who was visiting her father in hospital, said: “I was surprised when I saw all the Santas. They gave me some nice presents.

It feels like Christmas now.”

The Santa Goodwill Programme was set up by phone company AT&T for retired employees but is now open to anyone. Among this year’s group was baseball player Jeff Daniels, a pitcher for the New York Yankees, who also held a master class for children in Nad Al Sheba.