Elmo and Cookie Monster bring Xmas cheer to kids

Sesame Street surprise: Cookie Monster, Elmo and (from left) Isaac, Ti Shaun and Sriven getting ready for a group photo at the Penang Adventist Hospital. — George Cheah/THE STAR

GEORGE TOWN: When Elmo and Cookie Monster mascots waltzed into the children’s playroom at the Penang Adventist Hospital’s paediatric ward, five-year-old Isaac Capel hid behind his father’s back.

Clad in his favourite Batman T-shirt, a nervous Isaac refused to get anywhere near the mascots who were almost twice his height.

But 10 minutes later, he got into the mood and was seen playing along with the mascots and having a great time.

“My favourite character in Sesame Street is Elmo. I am so happy to see Elmo and Cookie Monster here at the hospital,” he said.

His father Aaron Capel, 40, said that his son was excited to meet his favourite characters.

“He is warded at the hospital following an acute ear infection and fever,” Aaron, who works as an IT solution consultant, said yesterday.

Make-up artist Wong Rou Min, 32, said that she was surprised by the special appearance.

She was with her 15-month-old son Lim Ti Shaun at the event.

Kindergarten teacher D. Kavitha also brought her son Sriven Tan, 11, to the Christmas event.

Thanks to the management of Gurney Paragon Mall, the two famous mascots from Sesame Street brought much Christmas cheer to ill children at the hospital.

Led by Hunza Properties (Penang) Sdn Bhd executive director Fong Yin Sian, the entourage also presented Sesame Street bags to the ill children as Christmas gifts.

“It gives me great joy just to see the smiles on the children’s faces.

“We just want to share the festive cheer with the children who are not feeling well and lighten up their mood,” she said.

The children and their parents later spent some quality time with the hospital staff and the group from Gurney Paragon Mall, before taking a group photo by the Christmas tree.

Also present were Penang Adventist Hospital charity manager Jenny Ooi, Gurney Paragon Mall marketing communications manager Jasmine Tai and Gurney Paragon Mall marketing communications assistant manager Selene Yeap.