IN PICTURES: Regina SWAT team members rappel down hospital as superheroes to bring joy to pediatric unit

WATCH: Members of Regina’s SWAT team rappelled down the Regina General Hospital dressed as superheroes in support of the pediatric unit.

It was an exciting day for the patients in the pediatric unit at the Regina General Hospital, as five superheroes rappelled their way down the windows outside their playroom.

The initiative all started when five members of the Regina Police SWAT team wanted to brighten the days of the children on the ward.

“We’re all fathers on this team, we all have children, I have three myself,” said Paul McNutt, a constable with the Regina Police Service (RPS). “Children are a special part of our lives. We all know someone or have had kids that are sick and been in hospital for a significant amount of time. We know the strain that that puts on families and the children themselves.”

Shortly before the descent, the superheroes went inside to greet the kids to give high fives, hugs and gifts.

“Some of them feared, I’m not gonna lie, there’s some scared ones.” McNutt said jokingly. “But all in all, they’re very happy to see us and they’re just genuinely curious about all the things that we’re wearing”

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The event raised a total of $15,379 for pediatric programs - proving that even though not all heroes wear capes, some of them do.

“The big thing about hospitals is that we’re using the equipment that we have 24/7, day in, day out,” said Tom Sorensen, the director of maternal and pediatrics. “Stuff wears out on us really quickly, and everything’s expensive. When you look at the monitors, you might be looking at $15,000 for a single monitor that goes into the room”

The RPS, Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Hospitals of Regina Foundation believe this rappel can become a yearly tradition at the Regina General Hospital.