Carlisle family's grotto helping to raise cash for charities
Santa Claus has moved in with a Carlisle taxi driver to spread festive cheer and raise money for charity.
Ian Wildey, 57, gave Santa a warm welcome with a spectacular display of Christmas lights at his house on Levens Drive, Morton. Dozens of neighbours and friends gathered round to watch the big switch-on last night.
Santa will now be accepting visitors every evening, from 5pm to 7.30pm, at his grotto in Ian’s front garden. He is giving out presents for £3 each to raise funds for Help For Heroes and The Animals Refuge, Wetheral.
For the last ten years, Christmas-mad Ian has turned his house into a colourful winter wonderland every December. It’s proved a big hit with neighbours like eight-year-old Ryan Mackenzie.
Ryan said: “I think it’s really good and colourful. I’m going to visit Santa and ask him for some new clothes and XBox games.”
Ryan’s mum Michelle, 31, added: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic.
“The kids love it – they get excited every single year. It gets better every time and it’s for a good cause too.”
This year’s decorations include an 11ft Christmas tree and a model of Santa in a sleigh pulled by reindeers.
For 50p, passers-by can buy their own bauble to hang on the display and help Ian and wife Joan raise even more cash.
Ian said: “I’m very happy with it – it’s even better than last year’s. I think the big grotto really helps and it means the kids can go inside, especially with weather like today’s.
“We raised £614 for charity last year and I’m hoping we can do even better this time round.”
The display was sponsored by several local businesses, including Audek Timber Products, who donated the grotto.
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It's a shame we have to have charities to do it tho