Fantastic fund raising by local charity group

And broadcaster Gerry Kelly is urging the public to back the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust.

Each Christmas NICLT take hundreds of terminally ill, life limited and other deserving children on a magical journey to visit Santa at his home in Lapland.

Due to the efforts of Santa’s Little Helpers Craigavon Hospital has been given 30 places on the charity flight on December 18.

The charity was set up to give the children and their families a day of joy to forget a lifetime of suffering.

Gerry Kelly, a NICLT trustee, said: “It’s an amazing trip. The emails, texts and letters we get from parents let us know just how important the day it is.

“It can be heartbreaking, because many of the children are no longer with us.”

Gerry is urging as many people as possible to get involved in making a donation or perhaps organising their own fund raising event.”

Alternatively if any school or business would like to help NICLT it costs £600 to send one child on the dream trip.

For more information visit www.niclt.org

The Santa’s Little Helpers group arranged a variety of fund raising events including an afternoon tea and a large group of friends and family abseiled the Europa Hotel.

Philip McAvoy ran the Brighton marathon. There were two quiz sheets and various craft tables at Seagoe Parish Church and the Church Girls’ Brigade.

These were followed up by a bag pack at Asda and friends and family knitting and selling dish cloths.

Santa’s Little Helpers are attending a few local Christmas craft nights selling their own handmade and donated crafts. They also donations regularly from supporters and through their collection boxes in some local shops.

They are planning and rounding off their year of fund raising with a supper night in the Seagoe Hotel in March of next year. It promises to be a great night.

Tickets are great value at £16 each which covers food and entertainment.