Around 300 children given a Christmas gift thanks to community effort

Around 300 children have been given a Christmas gift thanks to a community effort in the Aber Valley.

Between December 1 and December 3, Santa’s grotto was set up at Senghenydd’s Dwell Coffee, where handmade gifts and toys were handed out by Father Christmas.

The event was organised by a small group of volunteers, including Ian Brown, Donna Lower, Emma Evans, Tammy Nelder, Terence O’Brien, and Amy Lee.

Amy said: “The response from the community was overwhelming, the children were so excited.

“The spaces filled so quickly, we had to continue the event for another two days. 

“We even had people from out of the area attend.”

She continued: “One of the nurses from the Machen nursing home wants to volunteer next year.”

This is the fourth year Amy and volunteers have organised these events for children in the valley.

All gifts were bought from money leftover from previous years’ donations.

One year, more than 1,400 Christmas goody bags were handed out to children across the Aber Valley by Father Christmas. 

Amy said: “We keep getting such good feedback every year.

“We try to change it every year, I’m hoping to do something bigger for the fifth year”. 

The events started during Covid to try and boost morale for the children at Christmas. 

Amy added: “I want to thank everyone for the support. 

“We didn’t expect it would do so well and we will continue to do it – we love doing it.”