Throughout the year the fundraising team work diligently to raise enough cast to put up Christmas lights and provide a massive firework display, plus a Santa’s Grotto where each child gets a present and they put it on for free. Over the years the night has expanded with the addition of real reindeer to meet. Also, funfair rides, stalls and entertainment stages occupied by local enterprises, the fee raising money in the pot towards the following year festivities.
Santa is housed in the library and the route out takes everyone through a mini craft fair where local community groups can set-up tables to raise funds. And so, all year I knit little toys and members of the creative writing group do crafts for the one we always occupy. As a not-for-profit community group any money raised is put towards subsidising the Christmas lunch, which means that everyone can go regardless of any financial constraints.
The evening is always well supported and it nice to see the area, which at the moment is a little down on its luck, thronged with people, music and laughter.