Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain gave LATCH youngsters at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, Cardiff an early Christmas surprise on 7 December 2009 when he turned up to thank them for designing this year’s Wales Office Christmas cards.

The Wales Office asked LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity to design this year’s ministerial Christmas cards and staff e-cards.

A painting of Father Christmas by Shane Hasson, aged 11, from Cardiff has been transformed into a Christmas card for the Secretary of State while a painting of a Christmas pudding by Elinor Bounds, aged 11 from Haverfordwest is Wales Office Minister Wayne David’s Christmas card.

Two other paintings have also been made into e-cards to be sent by Wales Office staff: a Christmas tree by Charlotte Bragg, aged 4 from Swansea and a Christmas present by Lola Owens, aged 4 from Barry.

Mr Hain said: “I’m delighted to be able to visit the children to say a big thank you for their wonderful festive paintings, which I’m sure will brighten up many mantelpieces this Christmas. The Wales Office has been closely associated with LATCH over a number of years and as Welsh Secretary it is an honour to be involved with such a worthwhile and amazing Welsh charity.

“It’s great to be able to present these brave children with their own Christmas cards from the Wales Office at the start of the festive period. The cards they’ve designed will be making their way to homes across Wales and the world and I’m sure they will delight all who receive them.”