Children to hand in presents at Santa’s alternative grotto
Father Christmas collecting toys and gifts from kind youngsters to be delivered to those less fortunate
A GROTTO with a twist will see Gosport children handing Santa presents to donate to those less fortunate in their area.
Rather than the usual idea of Father Christmas handing out presents to children, he will instead be collecting toys and gifts which will be delivered through Gosport-based charities.
Acts of Kindness, Gosport Rotary Club, Gosport Stoke Road Sisters W.I. and The Centre in Gosport have joined forces to help as many people as possible enjoy Christmas with gifts and food.
The socially-distanced grotto on Saturday, December 12, will be at St Matthew’s in Wych Lane, Gosport, where Acts of Kindness is now based.
Santa will be there from 11am until 3pm to meet all the generous children with their choice of gift to donate, and pose for a socially-distanced photo with them.
Acts of Kindness founder Kerry Snuggs said that every year the charity collects presents for children and adults in the area and this year there is even more demand than usual following the pandemic causing unemployment and hardship.
Kerry said: ‘We are currently collecting hampers and gifts for people of all ages which will be donated to as many people as possible from parents and their children to homeless people, hospital patents and veterans.
‘Having Santa to help is great news and we are inviting children to book a socially-distanced visit on Saturday.’
As a crisis support organisation, Acts of Kindness and its volunteers have worked throughout the community during the pandemic providing food packages, clothes, prescription delivery services and loneliness calls.
Acts of Kindness has worked with a range of organisations to help those affected by the pandemic and the Christmas campaign is set to help hundreds of children and adults enjoy the festive period this year.
The charities involved aim to deliver hundreds of gifts this year for various organisations including hospitals, schools and families in the community.
Visits must be booked in advance to make sure people are kept as safe as possible and the booking system can be found online at eventbrite. co.uk/e/christmas-with-atwist-tickets-131217355643
Donations can also be delivered to Acts of Kindness on Saturday from 10am to 4pm, on Sunday from noon until 4pm or weekdays from 10am until 4pm.
We are currently collecting hampers and gifts for people of all ages.
Kerry Snuggs