Youngster turns his bedroom into Santa's Grotto for South Tyneside charity

A kindhearted schoolboy has transformed his bedroom into Santa's grotto in a bid to raise cash for charity.
Dylan Simpson, with sister Ava, has turned his bedroom into Santa's Grotto to raise money for St ClaresDylan Simpson, with sister Ava, has turned his bedroom into Santa's Grotto to raise money for St Clares
Dylan Simpson, with sister Ava, has turned his bedroom into Santa's Grotto to raise money for St Clares

Dylan Simpson is now sleeping in a winter wonderland after he gave his room a festive makeover .

The 11-year-old from Snowberry Grove in Cleadon Vale, South Shields, is charging his relatives and to visit his ‘grotto’ and everything he collects will be given to St Clare’s Hospice in Jarrow

Dylan putting the finishing touches to his tree.Dylan putting the finishing touches to his tree.
Dylan putting the finishing touches to his tree.
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The Westoe Crown Primary School pupil has ran the same fundraising idea for the last three years, with his total getting more impressive each year.

Already the Christmas-loving youngster has raised more than £800 for the charity.

Mum Jill Simpson, 33, said: “He really does have a heart of gold. He said three years ago he wanted to decorate his room so I said how about doing it for charity.

“He then charged his friends and family to come and see it.

Dylan putting the finishing touches to his tree.Dylan putting the finishing touches to his tree.
Dylan putting the finishing touches to his tree.
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“The first year he raised just over £30, then last year he collected £57, but this year he’s made more than £800 already.”

Dylan has boosted his fund by hosting raffles and tombolas at Temple Park Centre on weekends and he’s also been helping out at the St Clare’s Charity Shop in Prince Edward Road, South Shields, where he had a sponsor form collecting donations.

Dylan spent most of last week decorating his bedroom - even wrapping up his drawers in festive paper.

Over the last few year’s he’s amassed quite a collection of Christmas decorations.

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Jill said: “When the January sales come along he will buy up decorations for next year. We just keep them in the loft.

“He started bringing them down last Wednesday and he was finally finished by Sunday because we had family coming over.

“He just really loves Christmas and he always gets super excited by it. He spends hours putting everything together this year he’s even wrapped up his drawers.”

Little sister, Ava, one, is also a big fan of her brother’s hard work.

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Jill said: “Ava loves spending time in Dylan’s room, it’s so festive.

“We couldn’t be more proud of him for giving up his time like this and continuing to do it year after year for charity.

“We think this might be the last year he decorates his bedroom as he will be off to the comprehensive school next year, but we will enjoy it while we can.”