Eager elves have delivered hundreds of gifts and food parcels to families in Burton upon Trent as part of a series of good deeds.
The National Forest Adventure Farm’s North Pole Adventure elves have been distributing food parcels for the homeless to YMCA Burton and gifts for poorly children at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital’s Children’s Ward.
They have also stopped off to visit residents at Rider House Nursing Home and helped children at Needwood Primary School to prepare for their upcoming school plays.
It comes after a recent study by Step Change has shown more than one in four say they will struggle to afford Christmas this year and an Age UK campaign highlighted the hidden crisis of loneliness among older people during the Christmas season with 11 per cent of older people expected to eat alone Christmas Day.
Tom Robinson, who runs the National Forest Adventure Farm with his brother Ivor, said it was important that the farm park was able to give back to the community.
He said: “As a family run attraction, we were more than happy to help our elves spread some extra festive cheer this year.
“Over the festive period many organisations such as Burton’s Queen’s Hospital and YMCA Burton work tirelessly to support our local community. We wanted to make sure we could help bring a bit of sparkle to those facing more challenging times this festive season.”
Every year YMCA Burton hand out over 300 food parcels to families in the run up to Christmas.
Paula Senior from the YMCA Burton said: “Christmas can be a challenging time for some and so we really appreciate the National Forest Adventure Farm elves making a special stop off to bring some festive cheer to the centre.
“In Burton there are families and individuals who face homelessness this Christmas whether that is sleeping rough or sofa surfing. Many more are having to choose between heating and eating so now more than ever we need donations for the foodbank. These vital services support thousands of families struggling to make ends meet.”
The North Pole Adventure event attracts 15,000 visitors every year and features a fully working traditional Victorian High Street, talking polar bear under the ‘Northern Lights’ and, new for this year, an immersive train ride.
