Father Christmas lands in Droylsden as couple transform their home

A couple from Droylsden have turned their home and garden into a Christmas wonderland - all to raise money for charity.

Susan Farkas and her partner John Charlesworth have transformed their back garden into a Santa’s grotto and will be welcoming some 250 children to it over the festive period to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer.

Each child will be welcomed by Mrs Claus before being taken into the grotto where they will hear a story from Father Christmas himself. Next, they’ll chat about the year that they’ve had and will receive a small gift.

The Reporter visited Father Christmas shortly after his arrival in Droylsden and he told us: “I’ll be very excited when the children come and see me. I’m sure there’s lots and lots of them this year that have had it tough and need a bit of cheer. 

“I thought I’d nip into Droylsden and spend a few days seeing how many children I can make smile.

“They can expect a little story, a talk with them to see how they’ve been this year, how they feel and if they’re looking forward to Father Christmas popping in and dropping their presents off.”

The entire makeover took three weeks, with lights, trees and characters all transforming the back garden into the winter wonderland. 

Susan, who is assisting Father Christmas with his Droylsden mission, said: “We’ve put up lights around the trees, put up Christmas trees, reindeer and snowmen, everything really. It was just an empty garden before we started. 

“There are 254 children booked in total. I’m just hoping they’re gobsmacked. We just wanted to make them smile. They’ve had a rough year and it’s been hard so we just want to bring a bit of cheer.”

The endeavour is set to raise money for Kidscan - the Children’s Cancer Research charity. 

Susan explained: “It is close to our family because we’ve lost quite a few members of our family to cancer. It is a good cause and they really need all the money they can get this year. 

“They’ve lost so much money due to the pandemic over the last couple of months and it’s a good cause.”

Alison England, community fundraising manager at Kidscan, visited the grotto just before its official opening last Thursday and said what the couple were doing was wonderful for the charity.

She said: “I saw a post on the Droylsden Facebook group as I live in Droylsden myself, and saw that John and Sue were going to do a Santa’s grotto all in aid of charity. 

“I contacted them to ask whether they would consider raising money for Kidscan Children’s Cancer Research and they agreed. Having had family experiences of cancer they jumped at the chance to support our charity.

“I went along and had a chat with them about their plans and they explained that they will be giving each child a selection box and offering parents mince pies and mulled wine."

Alison added: “I set about contacting local businesses for donations of these items. Iceland, Quality Save, Spar, Tesco amongst others, all gave generously. Local people have also donated trees, decorations and lights.

“Sue and John have gone to great expense to decorate their entire house - front and back and turn it into something truly magical. 

“They have ensured they are following all government guidelines and ensuring social distancing at all times. 

“It has been so popular that they have taken bookings for 250 children and now have a waiting list too. Having visited myself, I was totally blown away by what they plan to achieve every day for almost three weeks, braving the cold weather.”

Alison said the money raised will go to vital research into finding new and improved treatments for children with cancer. 

Currently children are receiving a watered-down version of adult chemotherapy and even though 60 per cent of children diagnosed survive, sadly 60-70 per cent of those children go on to have life limiting, life-altering side effects including learning difficulties, mobility issues and infertility.

“We want to change this and with the help of people like John and Sue, we can do just that,” said Alison.

If you would like to support Sue, John and Kidscan, you can donate online at https://uk.gofundme.com/f/tw4rwm-kidscan