Holly’s Christmas Grotto was a great success!

Young fundraiser Holly Peretti, 14, lit up Great Park estate in Newcastle in December, as she and her family created a dazzling Christmas-themed display at their home – and invited the whole community to drop by!

Holly was inspired to raise funds to support our hospice Christmas fundraising appeal, to fund a wish list of items to benefit our patients and families. Holly was particularly drawn to one item on the list, to fund 30 bereavement support sessions for adults or children at a cost of £450. This was due to Holly receiving bereavement support herself, when her Nanny died ten years ago. Holly decided she wanted to help other people who were struggling with the loss of a loved one, so she set to work to make her idea a reality!

With the help of Dad Richard, Mum Chantalle and brother Charlie, Holly transformed the front of their house and garden into a magical winter wonderland featuring twinkling light displays, cute inflatable characters and Christmas trees. The centrepiece was a beautifully decorated Santa’s Grotto, with the man himself dropping in to meet local children and families on Saturday 7^th and Sunday 15^th December.

The family set up a Facebook page to invite people to visit, and the response was huge! People from their Great Park Community came to see the result of Holly’s hard work, with many more visiting from further afield. Families could make a donation to visit Santa and children received gifts, kindly donated by Morrisons and Tesco. Donations could also be made in the wishing well which Richard built for the garden.

Running throughout December, the display delighted all who visited.

Holly said:

“We has some lovely reactions from people who came. I was dressed as an Elf and my brother Charlie was a gingerbread man and it was really fun to meet everyone. I was so happy with how it all turned out.”

Mum Chantalle added:

“The community have been so supportive, with lots of really positive comments and generous donations made. People were sharing their personal stories about how the hospice has helped people they know and now Holly is even wanting to volunteer at one of the hospice shops to continue to give something back. We are so proud of her.”

As well as donations made at Holly’s Grotto, funds were raised through a non-uniform day she held at her school and a fundraising stall at Great Park Morrisons. Holly also did a talk to her fellow students about the hospice, to raise awareness about our work.

The totals are in… did Holly manage to reach her target?

We are delighted to announce that Holly and her community have managed to raise a massive £1222.40! This is enough to fund around 80 sessions of bereavement support for local people. Thank you to the Peretti family and to all of the people and businesses who supported Holly in making her dream a reality.

Despite being a very busy young lady with school and her work as a Brownie leader, Holly is hoping to bring back her Grotto again this Christmas, so watch this space!