The festive season has officially begun for a beloved North East charity, as The Sunshine Fund launches its seventh annual Santa Grotto Bus initiative. This heartwarming project offers families a completely free chance to meet Father Christmas, providing crucial magic during a cost-of-living crisis while raising vital funds for local children with complex needs.
Free Festive Fun on the Move
The transformed Stagecoach bus will be stationed on Nelson Street, adjacent to the Christmas markets, from 9:30am to 5:30pm this weekend (December 6-8). Following this, the mobile grotto will embark on a special tour, visiting several local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) schools throughout the coming week. It will then return to Newcastle city centre for a second public weekend from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, December 14.
The charity emphasises that all visits are free and inclusive, welcoming people of all ages, needs, and financial circumstances. This commitment stands in stark contrast to the average £20 entry fee for a traditional grotto experience. The initiative is made possible by the long-term partnership with Stagecoach, whose staff at the Slatyford depot volunteer their time and donate gifts to ensure every child's visit is memorable.
Donations Doubled for Local Impact
While access is free, The Sunshine Fund gratefully accepts donations both at the bus and online. Every penny raised stays within the North East, directly funding specialist equipment for babies, children, and young people living with life-limiting conditions and complex needs.
This year, supporters have a unique opportunity to double their impact through the charity's Big Give Christmas Challenge. All donations made via the dedicated page before 12pm on Tuesday, December 9 will be matched by The Reed Foundation and Stagecoach. This means a £10 gift instantly becomes £20, at no extra cost to the donor. The charity has set an ambitious target to raise over £7,500 through this campaign.
Stories of Sunshine: Where Your Money Goes
To show donors the tangible difference their contributions make, The Sunshine Fund is running its '12 Days of Sunshine' campaign. It is sharing real stories of impact, such as funding an adaptive trike for a Sunderland girl with Down's Syndrome and providing sensory play equipment for a visually impaired child in North Tyneside.
The public can follow these stories and the bus's journey via the charity's website at www.thesunshinefund.org/appeal or on social media @sunshinefund. Those in Newcastle this weekend are encouraged to visit the festively decorated bus and its costumed team to share in the Christmas spirit and support a vital local cause.
