Mickey brings smiles to children's wards

Mickey Mouse paid a visit to the children of Disneyland, Wonderland and Rainbow wards at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday and, as can be expected, made quite a hit.

Wearing his best frock, the big-eared plush character was welcomed by dozens of little bright eyes, eager for a cheerful break from their daily lives in the wards.

Latched onto their parents' hands, all signs of shyness were lost as soon as they detected the long black nose of the world's most famous cartoon character.

The suspense was heightened by the fact that Mickey was an hour late, leading a six-year-old boy to stomp his feet in protest. He quickly perked up and calmed down though when he first caught sight of Mickey and, with a big smile on his face, shook the character's white-gloved hand before being wrapped in a tight embrace.

A three-year-old boy was the first to walk up to the Disney character, handing him a Christmas card he had coloured and written out the night before with a little help from his mum.

A timid little girl, obviously a major fan, came to meet "the star" wearing slippers and tribute Mickey Mouse pyjamas and wanted her "tummy" signed.

However, gentlemen who were clearly part of the entourage, indicated that Mickey was not signing autographs there and then. They took whatever papers the children had to be returned autographed... but her tummy still went unmarked.

Mickey's visit to Mater Dei Hospital was part of the pre Disney Live! Show being performed at the MFCC in January.