The Santa’s Cottage based in the Gatelodge, Milford has raised £5,000 for the NSPCC. Santa’s week-long visit, in December, saw over 3,000 adults and children from all parts of the North and South of Ireland, visit Milford Gatelodge.
The Santa’s Cottage was supported and funded by many local businesses and volunteers and was set up and organised by the Charity Committee in Homecare Independent Living, based in the Head Office in Milford. The mission of the committee is to enhance the dignity and improve the quality of life for people, families and communities.
A substantial amount of private investment was put into the Gatelodge at Milford to restore it to its original features. The volunteers also spent many days and nights working on the Gatelodge in preparation of Santa’s visit. A brand new kitchen was fitted for Mrs. Claus to cook her mince pies and make her mulled wine along with new bedrooms and a gorgeous cosy living room with an open fire for Santa. A log cabin was set up across from the Gatelodge where Christmas crafts were created and all visitors got a peek of the famous Manor House were the elves stayed.
One of the visitors commented:
“We visited Santa’s Gatelodge on Saturday, 11 December, there were 10 in our group, 3 adults & 7 children, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Everything was just brilliant, and the kids especially loved Mrs Claus – she was a class act. It is obvious that a lot of hard work and organizing has been put into the event, and the whole thing is just amazing!! Thanks to all of you.”
Another sent an email:
“Hi everyone, just wanted to let u know what a totally wonderful evening we had at santas lodge last nite. The set up was amazing so much to do and see both for the children and the adults. the work that went into organising it was well seen and everything ran like clockwork. We have been to quite a few santa’s grottos around the country and have travelled but we all agreed as a family that this was the best we had ever been to thank u all so so much and i will be telling all our friends about it.”
A lot of administration was involved in organising reservations, website, gifts and the volunteers all gave up their time to pitch in and help out to enable such a huge task to run so smoothly.
Mairead Mackle, owner of the Gatelodge and Manor House, Milford states: “ From the moment we decided to do this project we were completely overwhelmed at the goodness and support of both our own staff in Homecare and all our neighbours in Milford as well as local businesses and friends. The Milford Community Development Association and local people all volunteered their time and talents to a very worthy cause. We had a total of 60 volunteers and local business all around offered prizes and sponsorship. This was a truly unique project as it crossed all boundaries; it was a genuine effort involving community, business, and local people young and old. It offered enjoyment to the 3000 people who visited and also to the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make it a success and it brought home the true meaning of Christmas “
To View Santas Cottage at Milford Gatelodge - visit - www.santasgatelodge.com
Special Thanks To:
Unimush, Kingsway Coaches, Raffles, Bluefish, Basil Sheils Bar, Gaffney Estate Agents, DA Architects, Woodford Dental Care, LA Fitness, Cutting Corner, Newry Furniture Centre, Kitchens Direct NI, Cutting It, Rice’s Supermarket, TMET, Ballymac Construction, Armagh City Hotel, PWT, Kearneys, PAP Promotions, DHampers, Raff Electrics, Smalls and McNally Joinery, Millars Hill Equestrian, Linwoods, LA Image, WD Curran, ACDC Signs, Barrontop Farm, Mullens Spar, ASM, Iveagh Movie Studios, Ian Donnelly.
