09 Dec Magical Christmas party, reindeer and Santa for local children living with cancer
Families affected by childhood cancer enjoyed a private, extra-special grotto experience and Christmas party this weekend, thanks to local charity Gold Geese.
Each year the children’s cancer support charity organises a special Christmas get-together for all the families it supports, to bring some festive joy and help families make memories and connect with others going through a similar experience.
This year’s event took place at local café Hatch in Old Leigh, with special appearances from Santa and his elves, real reindeer, entertainment from Frozen’s Elsa and Ana, Christmas arts and crafts, festive face painting and carefully-selected presents for each family.
Katie Southgate, Gold Geese Founder and Chief Executive, explains:
“Christmas with cancer is very tough but thanks to our brilliant community’s kindness and generosity we’re able to bring back the joy and sparkle for our Gold children.
“Christmas can be an expensive time, but for a family dealing with cancer it can be even harder as many parents need to cut back work hours or give up work completely to care for their child. Costs such as travel to appointments or hospital car parking soon add up too so times can be particularly tough.
“That’s why alongside the party we also gift all our Gold families a £500 voucher to help get them through the Christmas season and beyond, to cover the cost of food, toys and treats.”
Gold Geese has also arranged a special wreath-making workshop this month for local families who have lost a child to cancer. The bereaved families will make festive decorations personalised to their loved one’s favourite colours, animals and memories.
Tickets for the charity’s popular Gold Grotto at Hatch café in Old Leigh have nearly sold out but there is limited availability on each day. Tickets cost £8 per child and include a gift and meeting Santa and his elves in a magical vintage train carriage experience.
Katie Southgate adds:
“We want to thank every one of our supporters for helping us provide magical memories for families facing cancer this Christmas, and a special thank you to Hatch for their ongoing support and generosity in hosting our grotto again, it’s a very special venue.
“You can help support us by buying a special Gold Geese bauble, which will be available for sale from Other Letters and Store Thirty3, or setting up a regular gift of £5 a month which could provide support from toys and treats to counselling and supermarket vouchers, this Christmas and beyond.”
