In its second year, the Santa’s Gatelodge based in Milford has more than doubled its figure from last year, raising £12,000 for various charities. Santa’s visit from the 1st - 16th December, saw several thousand adults and children from all parts of the North and South of Ireland, visit Milford’s Gatelodge.
The Santa’s Gatelodge was supported by many local volunteers. It was set up and organised by the iCare Charity Committee in Homecare Independent Living, with their Head Office in Milford. The mission of the committee is to enhance the dignity and improve the quality of life for people, families and communities.
Every penny raised from the venture is being split between various charities. The NSPCC and the Sophia Fund have both received £5,000. The Sophia Fund was set up in aid of the children’s scanner appeal and neo-natal intensive care unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. Sophia Grew was born in July with meningitis. She became critically ill and was admitted to neo-natal intensive care. Against the odds, she pulled through and is continuing to do well. Her parents, Jim and Janet Grew set up the Sophia Fund to raise money towards the MRI children’s scanner and the neo-natal intensive care.
Other charities which received money were RAFT (Restorative Action Following the Troubles) (£500); SCOPE UK (children with Cerebral Palsy) (£250); Meningitis Research Fund (£500); OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) (£250) and the Mandeville Unit (£500).
Children who visited Santa’s Gatelodge this year were captivated by the recreation of Santa’s North Pole home. Mairead Mackle, Managing Director of Homecare explains, “It was the iCare Charity Committee’s idea of turning the Gatelodge into a home for Santa and Mrs Claus as it was so quaint and looked like something out a fairytale. What started off as a Santa’s grotto for charity, has really grown beyond what any of us could have imagined with over 230 volunteers from right across the community getting involved and making it come alive for the children”.
This year, the organisers decided to expand it further, opening up the grounds of the historical Manor House. After visiting Mrs. Claus and the Fairy Godmother in the Gatelodge, a special trackless train, imported from Canada, took visitors up to the Manor House train station. There they found the elf school, the reindeer, craft stalls and then Santa’s living room.
One of the visitors commented, “We had a fantastic evening visiting the elves, Mrs. Claus and of course, Santa himself. You guys are doing a great job and are to be congratulated for effort put in on behalf of the designated charities. It is wonderful to have something as professional as this in Milford and a big thanks to the organising committee and all the willing volunteers.”
Special Thanks To: The staff and families of Homecare, students from St Catherines College Armagh, St Patrick’s Grammar and Armagh High School, residents of Milford and the local community, Bluefish Marketing and Design, ACDC signs, Armagh City Football Club, Gaffney Estate Agents, Wrights Soft Furnishings, Wine Label, Eurospar, WD Curran, ASM Horwath
