Popular Christmas grotto appeals for decorations as part of 'back-up plan' to make children smile after tough year

Work is well underway on Parkside’s Christmas grotto in the hopes that it will be able to welcome families through the doors once again this Christmas, should coronavirus restrictions allow.

The much loved grotto and ‘Santy’ sleigh attracts more than 1,000 visitors each year, who travel from across the region to see the festive displays at the centre and meet Santa.

Parkside Community Centre vice chairman Richard Cameron, and volunteer Chris Kennedy, have been decorating the inside of the building since September ahead of the grotto’s planned opening on Saturday, November 28.

And this year’s grotto will be extra special as it pays tribute to key workers for their vital work during the pandemic.

However, in case Government restrictions prevent the grotto from going ahead, the centre plans to cover the outside of the building in decorations and lights to bring Christmas cheer to families.

It has now launched an appeal for donations of new Christmas decorations and lights, or money, in order to make their dream a reality.

Bus driver Richard, 57, said: “It all depends on what the Government says in terms of whether the grotto can go ahead but we are building it now and are three-quarters of the way through.

"We are having to change it slightly this year and do everything we can to make it as Covid-secure as possible.

"But if we can’t go ahead inside we are going to decorate the outside and so we are asking for donations of decorations.”

The centre has already seen a wave of support from the community, with a £100 donation from Asda Grangetown and cash donations from across the Seaham community.

The outdoor decorations would place Santa in his sleigh outside the centre for children to see.

Further plans are in motion for the Parkside Santa to appear outside Sunderland schools and the children’s unit at Sunderland Royal, so that even more youngsters can see him from a safe distance.

Richard added: "A lot of children think that Santy is not going to come this year so we want them to see he is still coming.

"We want to do what we can to make sure the kids have a nice Christmas."

He continued: "If donations could come in by mid-November it would give us time to set up.

“The Santy sleigh and lights will be on every night so people can still come into the car park and see everything from outside even if we can’t do the grotto on the weekends.

“It means we have a back-up plan as we just want that experience for the kids.”

The grotto hopes open to youngsters with disabilities on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29.

It will then be open from 10am to 4pm every weekend until Christmas, with a booking system expected to be in place.

Anyone who is able to make a donation is asked to message the Parkside's Christmas Sleigh and Grotto Facebook page to arrange delivery, collection or money donation.

Entry fee into the grotto will be £4 per child and £1 per adult.

To donate to the appeal visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-make-childrens-christmas-magical-this-year

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