13-year-old Great Park girl creates Santa's Grotto outside Newcastle home for St Oswald's Hospice
by Owen Younger · ChronicleLiveA 13-year-old girl from Great Park has created a Santa's Grotto outside of her Newcastle home for St Oswald's Hospice. Holly Peretti has chosen to take on some festive fundraising this year, as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Holly and her family, mum Chantalle, dad Richard and 11-year-old brother Charlie, have created a display outside their Newcastle home, and are encouraging the local community to visit. Featuring light displays, inflatable characters and several Christmas trees, a lot of work has gone into the festive experience.
As part of the Santa's Grotto, St Nicholas himself will be making an appearance, on Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 15. Holly’s family have supported St Oswald’s in the past, by decorating the house for Halloween and getting lots of positive comments from local residents.
Holly's dad Richard Peretti, who works for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We like to support local charities as a family and St Oswald’s does so much for our community. Holly sadly lost her Nanny around ten years ago and received bereavement support from another organisation which really helped her.
"When she saw that St Oswald ‘s Hospice was running a Christmas appeal to raise funds to pay for bereavement support sessions, she really wanted to help. Our family enjoy going for a drive at this time of year and spotting the decorated houses, so this year we thought we would give it a go ourselves."
Holly said: "I wanted to raise enough money to help those who are in a position like me when my nanny died. St Oswald's Hospice is an amazing charity, and I just hope I can do it justice. I have loved seeing people visit my Santa's Grotto and Winter Wonderland, seeing their happy faces make me smile."
Holly’s Christmas Grotto can be found at 22 Shotton View, Great Park Newcastle, NE13 9DE. The lights will be switched on daily from 4pm – 8pm and everyone is welcome to visit, with people able to donate in person or on the JustGiving page here.
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