Around 500 Christmas gifts given out thanks to volunteers’ efforts

Around 500 Christmas gifts have been given out to children in the Aber Valley thanks to the efforts of a small group of volunteers.

The gifts, were handed out by Father Christmas at his grotto, which was set up at Dwell Coffee shop in Senghenydd on December 3, 4 and 7.

In total, Father Christmas saw around 300 children over the course of the three days.

It is the third year the Project Santa scheme took place in the valley, having started in 2020 to lift spirits during the pandemic.

It was originally intended to run just for one year, but returned due to popular demand in 2021 – before returning again this year.

The first two years saw gifts hand delivered to children across the valley, but this year the gifts were given away at the grotto instead.

Volunteer Amy Lee, who organised it alongside Tammy Nelder, Donna Lower and Emma Evans, said: “It was lovely. We’re really pleased.

“We did it a bit different this year but it was absolutely brilliant.

“The parents were pleased too and we had no bad feedback whatsoever.”

The volunteers joined Father Christmas in the grotto dressed as elves and gingerbread men, while children ranging from newborn babies to 15-year-olds received their gifts.

The gifts had been packaged by the volunteers, taking around a day and a half between them.

There was a collection tin at the grotto, which, combined with other donations, helped raise more than £420.

Amy said the money will go towards running the scheme again next year, with the volunteers already brainstorming ideas for 2023’s Project Santa.

Throughout the year, the volunteers run a weekly lottery on Facebook, with funds going towards buying the gifts.

Visit Project Santa’s online fundraiser to make a donation to the scheme.