SANTA hit the road early this year in Stratford.
Arts and wellbeing charity Escape Arts launched its Surprise Santa Toy Drive which aims to deliver festive cheer to families experiencing a hard time.
Each year the charity transforms its bus into a Santa’s grotto which will visit families who might otherwise miss out on traditional festivities.
And this Christmas some 50 youngsters involved in The Friendship Project – a charity which pairs up those in need with volunteers for fun and friendship – got to meet he jolly old elf.
Friendship Project spokeswoman Karen Hoy said: “The Friendship Project for Children are so grateful to Escape Arts for visiting our Christmas party at the weekend. 53 children met Santa and his elves and sat in Escape Arts beautifully decorated grotto to chat with Santa and receive their presents. It really did bring some festive cheer to the children that we support in our charity, and the children all went home happy. We hope that many more children will benefit from Escape Arts and their fabulous travelling grotto in the run up to Christmas.”
