Northern Ireland gears up for Christmas special as Santa’s Gatelodge prepares to light up
By Eleanor McGillie
The countdown is on as the committee running the annual Christmas spectacle in Milford prepare to welcome thousands of people for Santa’s Gatelodge 2014.
The magical Christmas fundraiser, organised by the iCare committee, attracts 5,000 visitors from all over Ireland who bring their children to visit Mrs Claus in her kitchen, the Fairy Godmother in her story room, the Elf School and of course Santa in Santa’s House.
Every year, a team of around 230 volunteers from Armagh and the surrounding areas get involved in making the event a huge success which raises thousands of pounds to grant people iCare Wishes throughout the following year to people in need.
Tickets are now on sale and are already selling fast but in order to make this event a success the iCare committee are urging community groups and members of the public to volunteer at the event.
Janine Smalls, an iCare Committee member, said: “Everybody loves Santa’s Gatelodge – whether you are visiting as a family or if you are there as a volunteer. It’s great fun and it’s so worthwhile when every penny raised is distributed back into the community in the form of iCare Wishes being granted.
“In past years we have had local school children, firefighters, nurses, community groups and members of the general public help us. We are urging people to help us again.”
The event, which is set in the grounds of Manor House in Milford, boasts reindeers, Christmas characters and a specially designed train takes people right up the long drive to Santa’s House. The entire area of Milford is covered in Christmas fairy lights while children can hang their star shaped iCare Wishes on a large outdoor Christmas tree.
Tickets for this year’s event can be booked online at www.santasgatelodge.com but if you would like to volunteer, please contact Janine on info@icare-charity.com.
The latest round of nominations for iCare Wishes will close on October 31. If you would like to nominate someone write to iCare Committee, Milford Gatelodge, Ballyards Road, Milford or by filling out an online application on www.icare-charity.com.
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Notes To Editor:
- Homecare Independent Living is a national leader in homecare provision offering services to clients enabling them to live independently. Services include domiciliary care, peripatetic and floating support services, nursing and continuing care services and housing services. The company employs 1,200 people and has offices in Armagh, Belfast, Magherafelt, Ballymena, Sligo, Dundalk and Dublin. The company has its own charity, iCare, which uses the power of its people to create a better world.
- For further information contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR Ltd on 028 3756 9569 | 07709805379 | www.mgmpr.co.uk | Healthcare PR | Public Relations Northern Ireland | Public Relations UK | Brand Journalism Northern Ireland | Brand Journalism UK | Corporate Social Responsibility | Corporate PR
