A Lochore youngster who had to undergo emergency brain surgery was gutted to miss out on the chance to join the Santa Benarty team spreading festive joy in the local area.
Briony Clarke volunteered every year as one of the elves joining Santa Benarty on his sleigh as he travelled the streets delivering selection boxes to local children.
But she was unable to join in the fun this year after being rushed to Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Children and Young People for life-saving treatment.
So to make up for her missing out, the Benarty Santa team paid her a surprise visit at the sick kids' hospital instead.
Her mum MaryAnn said the visit meant the world to her little girl, who has also been fighting an infection while recovering from surgery to drain abscesses on her brain.
MaryAnn said: "Briony was all geared up for being an elf again this year, her last one as she will be going to high school next year.
"She was upset about missing out on all the festivities so to get this special visit meant the world to her and the whole family.
"You couldn't get a better community. Briony loved it. Thank you so much Santa Benarty, you've really touched our hearts by doing this for Briony and the kids on her ward."
Briony had been unwell for a while, but no one realised quite how seriously ill she was until at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy they found an abscess on her brain. She was immediately blue-lighted to Edinburgh for emergency surgery.
She then developed an infection, but thankfully she has been responding well to treatment.
MaryAnn said the messages and calls of support had been overwhelming and were really helping the family get through this difficult time.
She added: "It's going to be a long road ahead, please have her in your thoughts in the days and weeks ahead as our princess recovers from all this."
After finding out about Briony's serious illness, the Santa Benarty team decided they had to do something to lift her spirits and make sure she could still enjoy the festivities.
A spokesperson for the team explained: "We decided that we would try and lift her spirits by taking as many elves and characters as possible to accompany Santa Benarty and Chief Elf Kevin over to the Sick Kids in Edinburgh.
"Bay Travel in Lochgelly, with very short notice, generously gave Santa Benarty the use of a luxury coach to take everyone over to the hospital.
"We met Briony and all her family and some friends and Santa Benarty gave out selection boxes to all the other kids in the ward.
"These selection boxes were very generously donated by Benarty Community Shop and helped lift the kids' spirits.
"We all send our best wishes to Briony and her family."
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