Santa Comes Early To Support Goldenhar 

Schoolchildren & TV Doctor Chris Steele enjoy sneak peak at Brunel Centre Christmas Grotto

   

Children from Westlea school and Doctor Chris Steele from ITV's 'This Morning' enjoyed a sneak peak at the Christmas Grotto in the Brunel Centre today.

 

For the second year running, inSwindon BID and The Brunel will be providing a five-week long Santa’s Grotto, and are combining to raise money for Goldenhar Family Support Group UK.

 

Christmas cheer: Dr Chris Steele, children from Westlea school, Santa & his helpers at Santa's Grotto in the Brunel Centre

And first in the queue to see Santa was Swindon's Morgan Sharpe, who suffers from Goldenhar.

 

Morgan’s mum, Kerry Holmes said: “He was very excited to see Santa and it was pleasure to meet Dr Chris again. I can't thank him enough for making the effort to be here today.” 
  

Morgan has previously met with Dr Chris when the family appeared on ITV1’s This Morning with Philip Schofield and Fern Britton back in February 2009. Dr Chris has now become patron of the charity and is keen to show his support to activities involving the charity where he can. 

 

Meeting Santa: Morgan Sharp receives a present and enjoys Santa's Grotto with his classmates from Westlea school (below)

 

“This is the third year we have organised the Santa’s Grotto in The Brunel and each year it is a great success," commented Simon Jackson, CEO of inSwindon BID.

 

"This year, The Brunel and inSwindon wanted to share this success with a charity and decided to show our support to Goldenhar Family Support Group UK. Morgan and his family have gone through a lot over the years and hopefully the Santa’s Grotto will only create more awareness of the charity and Swindon’s support to other families across the UK.”

 

Opens on 17 November

The grotto officially opens to the general public in conjunction with the town centre’s Christmas Lights Switch-On on Thursday 17^th November.