Prisoners from Otago Corrections Facility have been working like elves in Santa's workshop.
Dunedin Santa Parade Trust chairman Mark Laughton said Santa would visit patients in the children's ward at Dunedin Hospital before joining the parade on Sunday, December 4.
Some of the toys stuffed in Santa's sack for the hospital visit had been made by prisoners from the facility at Milburn.
The prisoners had made enough toys to ensure every child in the ward got a present.
''I'm absolutely thrilled to have the prisoners involved. It's the first time and it's great.''
The charitable trust started the parade 19 years ago and investigated having the parade route pass the hospital so the sick children could watch it.
When the route was deemed not to be feasible, a decision was made for Santa to visit the ward.
''It's tear-jerking but it's great.''
The 90-minute parade this year would include more than 70 floats and depart from the Regent Night 'n Day in North Dunedin at 3pm.
The parade travels along George and Princes Sts and finishes near First Church in Moray Pl.
If it rained heavily, the parade would be postponed to the following Sunday.
A family concert featuring musician Kelvin Cummings would be held in the Octagon after the parade.
OCF acting prison director Lyndal Miles said prisoners created the toys in the carpentry workshop and worked towards credits for a national certificate in carpentry.
The gifts ranged from simpler toys for younger children to chess and backgammon sets.
