Hucknall fundraising group and local business join forces to put on Santa's grotto to raise money for community charities

A Hucknall fundraising group has helped organise a Santa's grotto and Christmas village with various stalls to raise money to support good causes in the town.

OT fundraisers, run by Lynne Ryland, together with Hucknall business Keycraft, have joined forces to make the community event possible.

It is being hosted by Keycraft on the site of their business at The Aerodrome just off Watnall Road.

OT fundraisers is named after Ms Ryland's son, Owen Towle, who has a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome. They are a well-known group within Hucknall for giving back to the community through various events, collections, and support of good causes.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Ms Ryland said: "What we needed to raise money for the community, we needed to find a venue, and Jackie at Keycraft has always done a grotto, so we chose to expand that.

"We did the first one last Thursday (2 December) and raised over £200 already. It's fantastic and the kids enjoy it and there's lots of photo opportunities."

The grotto is open today (Wednesday 8 December), tomorrow (Thursday 9 December), Sunday (12 December) and next Wednesday (15 December), Thursday (16 December) and Sunday (19 December).

The opportunity for children to meet Santa must be booked in advance to comply with Covid safety rules. This can be done by texting 07496252144 or emailing [email protected].

There is no charge for children to meet Santa but donations are encouraged.

The event has been made possible by the financial support of Feel Good Families and Ashfield District Council.

Ms Ryland added: "After all the events, that money raised, it's stipulated that it goes into Hucknall charities or groups, so it stays in the Hucknall community.

"We didn't want to put a cost on it because if you go somewhere, it's twenty quid or a tenner and things like that, it's getting the community out, and if they can't afford to come and see Santa then don't put nothing (sic) in the bucket. It's there for the community.

"We just want to raise money and support the community. It just amazes me what the community's all about, how people can just come together."

Last year due to Covid restrictions, festive events such as this were not allowed to take place. Ms Ryland agreed it was good to see families once again able to enjoy themselves at public gatherings.

She said: "It's just lovely, families can come out and just have a bit of their time and having photos taken again and heartfelt stuff. It's just what the community needs."

For further details about the event, please see our 'What's On' page.