Santa Claus is coming to town… for a record 22 nights at Santa’s Gatelodge Milford.
Due to huge public demand, Armagh based charity iCare and its team of 200+ dedicated local volunteers have stepped up to the challenge and are promising to deliver a magical Christmas experience to every single visitor who will enjoy a range of festive activities from roasting marshmallows, designing stars for the wishing tree, visiting elf school to the all-important visit to Santa to find out if you’re on the Nice List and to receive a present.
First launched in 2010 by the employees of Homecare Independent Living, the success and infamy of Santa’s Gatelodge has reached the far ends of the Country with people travelling from Donegal and Dublin in order to enjoy the Christmas family extravaganza. Volunteer numbers have increased to over 200 with local students, businesses, sports and social clubs showing their commitment to the local community by getting involved and playing their part.
Janine Smalls, founding member of the iCare Charity committee said: “Santa’s Gatelodge has become so much more than a charity fundraiser, it’s a celebration of our community and its people. Every year the demand for Santa’s Gatelodge tickets grows and it’s all down to the fantastic work of the iCare Charity committee and our dedicated volunteers. We could never have imagined how successful Santa’s Gatelodge would become. It has allowed iCare to make a real difference to the lives of so many people through our iCare Wish initiative.”
Santa’s Gatelodge is 100% volunteer led and from which 100% of all proceeds go directly to the iCare Charity in order to grant iCare Wishes in communities across the country. From the 2015 proceeds, iCare commissioned and donated a brand new, forest hideaway activity centre to Lisanally Special School in Armagh as well as granting 14 iCare Wishes in communities across the Country.
The iCare Wish Initiative allows any members of the public to nominate someone in their local community to be granted a wish – a personal or practical “gift” that can often make a real difference to that person’s life. This can be something as simple as planting a cherry blossom tree in someone’s garden to a complex piece of medical equipment.
In addition to Santa’s Gatelodge, the iCare Charity committee along with its volunteers and HCIL employees host a range of fundraising activities throughout the year including the Annual Purple Run, afternoon teas, coffee mornings, duck races and social events.
Volunteer and Booking Information
To volunteer for Santa’s Gatelodge or to book your tickets please visit: www.santasgatelodge.com or call the hotline Monday – Friday, 9am – 5.30pm on 07748107490.
For further information on iCare, please visit: www.icarecharity.com
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