CHILDREN’S charity leaders are seeking support to help create a Woodland Winter Wonderland for hundreds of families this Christmas.

The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust is running Christmas parties until December 23, but has had to be inventive this year due to Covid restrictions.

A traditional CAFT Christmas would ordinarily take place across the charity’s 10-acre site, focusing mainly on indoor facilities, including the sports hall and farmhouse, and would largely benefit groups of children from schools, charities and clubs.

Trust fundraiser Helen Crowther said: “Sadly these parties can’t go ahead as planned this year, but we’ve taken the lessons learned during the family visit programme - short visits for families we’ve been running since June which have helped 1,000 families - to create a new festive experience which will bring magic into the lives of 1,500 children this Christmas.

“We will invite more than 450 families to join us for a visit to our Woodland Winter Wonderland, a unique festive experience they’ll never forget.

“These visits will see families exploring our enchanting woodland, which will be adorned with fairy lights, Nordic trees and all things Christmassy.”

Restrictions permitting, the charity is also hoping to work with 10 local schools to provide their children with a safe Christmas at CAFT experience, meaning a further 150 children will benefit.

Each child will take part in a programme of fun activities, including a visit to the Christmas barn to see the animals, toasting marshmallows around the campfire, live music and games in the festive fun zone, Christmas crafts to take home, an elf trail treasure hunt and a visit to see Santa in his outdoor grotto.

Helen added: “This magic can only happen with the help of our amazing supporters – never has their generosity been needed more.

“We would be so grateful for any donations which help us to achieve our aim of bringing the fun of Christmas into the lives of these amazing children.

“Financial donations are always welcome, as are new toys, gifts and selection boxes.”

The charity’s selection box appeal is running until December 21, and this year people will be able to make a donation by visiting totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/Selection-Box-Appeal.

The charity is still accepting donations of selection boxes if people would like to drop by to CAFT with them.