Eager elves have delivered hundreds of gifts and food parcels to Burton families as part of a festive boost for the Christmas season.
The National Forest Adventure Farm’s North Pole Adventure elves have been out in force spreading their magic yuletide cheer with food parcels for the homeless, gifts for poorly children and spreading some festive cheer to combat loneliness.
Part of a series of good deeds for the festive elves based at the Tatenhill attraction they donated toys, books and gifts to Burton’s Queen’s Hospital’s Children’s Ward, took hundreds of food items for the YMCA food bank, had plenty of fun natters with residents at a Burton care home and helped children prepare for their school play with some elf training.
It comes after a recent study by Step Change has shown more than one in four say they will struggle to afford Christmas this year and an Age UK campaign highlighted the hidden crisis of loneliness among older people during the Christmas season with 11% of older people expected to eat alone Christmas Day. Tom Robinson, who runs the National Forest Adventure Farm with his brother Ivor, said it was important that the farm park was able to give back to the community.
As a family run attraction we were more than happy to help our elves spread some extra festive cheer this year. Over the festive period many organisations such as Burton’s Queen’s Hospital and YMCA Burton work tirelessly to support our local community. We wanted to make sure we could help bring a bit of sparkle to those facing more challenging times this festive season. – Tom Robinson
Every year YMCA Burton hand out over 300 food parcels to families in the run up to Christmas.
This year would be a particularly tough year for many and the funds would have a huge impact on families facing crisis. Christmas can be a challenging time for some and so we really appreciate the National Forest Adventure Farm elves making a special stop off to bring some festive cheer to the centre. In Burton there are families and individuals who face homelessness this Christmas whether that is sleeping rough or sofa surfing. Many more are having to choose between heating and eating so now more than ever we need donations for the foodbank. These vital services support thousands of families struggling to make ends meet. – Paula Senior, YMCA
Each year, Queen’s Hospital Burton, which is part of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, support children and their families who need treatment over the festive period. The elves delivered a selection of gifts from board games to teddy bears and jigsaws which will be handed out in the run up to Christmas.
Residents at Rider House Nursing Home, in Stapenhill Road, Burton, also had a visit from the elves and children at Needwood Primary School, in Yoxall Road, Burton, tried their hand at elf training to help the youngsters prepare for their upcoming school plays.
The elves will now rejoin Father Christmas at the National Forest Adventure Farm for 10 more days in the run up to Christmas. Part of the North Pole Adventure the event attracts over 15,000 visitors every year and allows families to transport themselves on a magical journey to the North Pole. The immersive experience takes in the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas with a fully working traditional Victorian High Street, magical talking polar bear under the ‘Northern Lights’ and new for 2025 immersive train ride.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.adventurefarm.co.uk or call the National Forest Adventure Farm on 01283 533933.
