YVONNE WEEKS: Our sole aim is to give the children a magical experience

We are a team of residents who, over the past 15 years, have voluntarily organised the Leigh Park Christmas Grotto.

The management company of the Greywell Shopping Centre provide us with a unit each year to work from.

We raise money throughout the year, through fundraising and also other funding grants.

We buy presents all year round, usually from supermarkets when they have their deals on.

Our organisation is run as a non-profit community group.

And there is great support from local businesses.

Every year we purchase some new decorations to make the grotto look different from last year, and fresh and magical.

Our sole aim is to give the children a magical experience when they visit Father Christmas.

The children receive a wrapped present which is perfect for their age, with their name on, a card from Father Christmas, a badge that says they have seen him at Leigh Park Grotto and a sweet from his tin – all for just £3.

Children can also sit on Father Christmas’ Sleigh and have their photograph taken with the Snowman or the elves.

And if Father Christmas isn’t busy the children may be lucky enough to have their photograph taken with him as well.

Parents are welcome to take photographs when the children receive their present.

This year our opening date is Thursday, November 30 and we are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until December 23.

Do you love Christmas, enjoy being with children and would not mind dressing up as an elf, Father Christmas or Mother Christmas?

If so, we would like to hear from you. We need volunteers for a couple of hours on any of the dates stated.

Please e-mail me on [email protected]. Alternatively, go to our Facebook page, Leigh Park Christmas Grotto.