YOUNGSTERS in Warrington will be able to meet Father Christmas this weekend when he arrives in Latchford.
On Saturday and Sunday, Hillmount Cheshire will welcome Santa Claus to its grotto in aid of Warrington and Halton Hospitals’ Charity.
He will be stopping by the recently opened garden lifestyle store on Knutsford Road to wish customers a merry Christmas and hand out gifts to children for a suggested charity donation of £5.
The grotto will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, and from midday to 3pm on Sunday.
Robin Mercer, managing director of Hillmount Cheshire, said: “As a family owned business, Hillmount recognises how special Christmas is for families everywhere.
“Since we opened Hillmount Cheshire, the fourth garden centre in our family-owned chain earlier this year, we thought it was important to support a locally based children's charity with funds raised from our in-store Santa's Grotto.”
The Latchford store is the fourth of the Hillmount brand and the first to open in England, following an investment of £1million, after the company began in Northern Ireland more than 80 years ago.
Staff at Hillmount Cheshire in Latchford
The firm has also generously pledged to donate a husky teddy bear to every child on Warrington Hospital’s children’s ward this Christmas.
Helen Higginson, fundraising manager at Warrington and Halton Hospitals’ Charity, expressed her gratitude to Hillmount staff.
She said: “This special event will no doubt bring great joy to customers at Hillmount.
“To be the chosen charity to benefit from this lovely event means a great deal to us all here at Warrington and Halton hospitals.”
Hillmount Cheshire is also serving as a drop-off point for the charity’s annual Christmas toy appeal, which seeks to provide every child in Warrington and Halton hospitals with a gift to unwrap at Christmas.
It is currently asking for new, unwrapped toys up to the value of £5 to be taken to one of their drop-off points by Wednesday, December 22.
Drop off points are the charity’s community hub at Warrington Hospital, Halton Hospital general office, ASDA Cockhedge main entrance and Hillmount Cheshire.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here