Festive cheer with letter from Santa

Kind-hearted people are being asked to join a fundraising campaign to bring some festive cheer to youngsters.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice has launched the campaign which arranges a special letter to be delivered to a youngster and also raises vital funds for the North Anston-based charity at the same time.

The Letter From Santa campaign was launched with the help of six-year-old Callum Smith, from Anston - and the big man himself, Santa.

Parents, grandparents and others are asked to donate £5 to the hospice and in return nominate a child who will receive a magical, personalised letter from Santa.

Each letter is uniquely personalised, and will be posted to the child in a special envelope in mid December.

Chief executive of the hospice Sarah Champion said: “It’s wonderful that Santa is helping us out this Christmas.”

“Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice receives no statutory government funding to help children with a shortened life expectancy in this region.”

“By buying a letter from Santa for your children or grandchildren, you could help these children have a Christmas filled with love and laughter.”

“Every child gets a magical personalised letter and you get a chance to help the hospice too.”

It is the latest fundraising initiative launched by the hospice, which was hit by thieves recently.

Each year Bluebell Wood needs to raise more than £2.5million to deliver its services and receives no statutory funding from the Government.

Currently its care team provides support to nearly 100 children and their families in the region, with the number of referrals growing each week.

Last month the Dinnington Guardian reported how hundreds of charity bags destined for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice have gone missing over the last couple of months from the doorsteps of homes in the region.

Several months ago staff noticed they were collecting fewer bags - destined for its charity shops - and they have reported seeing other vans taking away the bagged items.

It is believed that as many as 500 bags have been stolen - meaning £9,500 worth of donations have gone missing.

The hospice has urged its supporters to be more vigilant and has established drop off points for bags and well as continuing house-to-house collections.

To order a Letter from Santa call 01909 517365 or go online and visit www.bluebellwood.org/santaletter.php.