Havant MP Alan Mak helps to open 2025 Leigh Park Christmas Grotto
Havant MP Alan Mak has helped to open the Leigh Park Christmas Grotto, heralding the beginning of the 2025 festive season.
A team of volunteers have transformed a unit in the Greywell Shopping Precinct into a snowy winter wonderland.
Visitors walk past Christmas trees hung with brightly-coloured baubles and twinkling lights, reindeer and even a family of polar bears. There is also a special room complete with a fireplace where young visitors get to meet Santa.
The grotto is run by community champions Dee Tupper and Kim Grant and helpers and is created every year to give local children a special low-cost festive experience.
Each child gets to see Santa and receive a badge, sweet, Christmas card and wrapped present for £5.
This year the grotto is raising funds for Off The Record, a local charity helping children with mental health support and emotional wellbeing.
Mr Mak said: "I always enjoy helping to open the grotto. Once again the team have done a fantastic job and I'd like to thank Dee and Kim and volunteers for all their hard work.
"The grotto looks fantastic and I'm sure local children will really enjoy this traditional festive experience."
The grotto is open from 10am-4.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, plus 10am-4.30pm on Monday, December 22.