A CHILDHOOD cancer charity has brought festive fun to families with its annual grotto party. 

Gold Geese held the event at café Hatch in Leigh, with appearances from Santa and his elves and real reindeer. 

There was also entertainment from a magician, Spiderman and princesses Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen.

Families enjoyed arts and crafts, a chocolate fountain, delicious food from catering company My Petite Kitchen, and each family received family games, Jellycat toys and £500 John Lewis vouchers to help cover the cost of Christmas.

Gold Geese also arranged a special wreath-making workshop at Create98 for families who have lost a child to cancer.

The bereaved families made festive decorations personalised to their loved one’s favourite colours, animals and memories.

Katie Southgate, founder of Gold Geese, said: “Christmas can be a particularly tough time for families affected by childhood cancer, whether they’re newly diagnosed, going through treatment, or have lost a child too soon.

“We support our Gold families every step of the way, and events like our grotto party and wreath-making workshop let them know We Fly Together, and allow them the opportunity to make memories and meet others in a similar situation.

"Tickets for our Gold Grotto at Hatch have already sold out, and we want to thank every one of our supporters for helping us provide some magical memories for families facing cancer this Christmas.”

Gold Geese provides practical and emotional support to local families of children and young people fighting cancer. 

Katie added: “Around 1,900 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it causes a huge upheaval for everyone in the family - emotionally, physically and often financially.

“We’re there every step of the way for local families affected by childhood cancer. Our slogan is ‘We Fly Together’, because geese are a team and no one is left behind.”

The charity receives no government funding and relies on community donations to fund its work.

This Christmas you can give the gift of a donation to Gold Geese at www.goldgeese.org/donate/giftcard