Meet the Grinch and help a good cause

Children can meet Washington’s version of the Grinch at Washington Leisure Centre.

Staff at the facility, managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active (EA) in partnership with Sunderland City Council, were keen to put on a festive event for the community.

Each child who meets the EA Grinch, from Monday to Wednesday will receive a small gift and a Christmas card from him and the team at the centre.

A donation of £1 per child is requested, with proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support – EA’s charity of the year.

Members of the public must book with the centre before attending. Half-hour slots are available to help ensure social distancing, the first starting at 3.15pm and the last beginning at 5.45pm.

Those who have booked should turn up a maximum of five minutes before their slot and Holly the Elf will lead them safely to the EA Gr inch’ s lair, where photography will be permitted, before Holly leads them safely out.

Everyone Active’s general manager, Geoff Moffat, said: “We are hoping this community event will put smiles on faces and raise as much money as possible for a great cause.

“We are proud to work alongside Macmillan Cancer Support and know how much the charity will benefit from the public’s donations.”

Washington Leisure Centre re-opened at the start of December following the end of the second lockdown.

Everyone Active is the trading name for Sports Leisure Management, which operates leisure centres in partnership with councils.

Information about the charity is at www.macmillan.org.uk