Droylsden couple's Santa's Grotto raises vital charity funds

A Santa's Grotto set up by a couple at their home in Droylsden has raised a fantastic £2,600 for charity.

The ‘Winter Wonderland’ was created by Sue Farkas and her partner John Charlesworth in their garden to raise money for Kidscan, the children’s cancer charity.

What originally began as a small idea for their grandchildren grew to something bigger than either could have imagined, with their back garden being transformed into a Santa’s Grotto complete with lights, reindeer and fake snow.

“We’re totally shattered,” said Sue, who played the role of Mrs Claus. “We started on December 4 and finished on the 20th. But seeing the kids faces smiling - even the adults got excited - it was definitely rewarding.”

More than 250 children were booked in to visit Father Christmas and each visitor was presented with a selection box, donated from local residents and businesses.

John says it was a very rewarding experience. 

He said: “We did a drive around Droylsden on Saturday night in a friend’s truck and we were amazed by the number of people who turned out, it’s been more than we expected.”

The money will go towards funding the work that Kidscan do and John says that the charity has been overwhelmed with the level of support.

“Alison (Kidscan fundraiser) came out with us on Saturday and she was nearly in tears. I’ve been a bit emotional myself all the way through it.

“In the year that we’ve had and what’s still going on, that’s what it’s about. The money for charity is a bonus, the happiness that we saw with the children - that for me you can’t buy it. That for me has been the best,” added John.

“There’s so many people that’ve helped we can’t mention everybody.

“We want to thank Alison for coming to us and putting that idea into us. Mike Ayres who runs the droylsden Facebook page who boosted it through the page and doing the drive round with us.”

John had some final words for the community who came out to support the grotto.

“I’m born and bred droylsden and this month has, in my eyes, shown what droylsden is. It's like it used to be - it’s just been hidden and people need to pat themselves on the back for everything they’ve done. We are Droylsden and we’re amazing.”