Christmas is coming to Airedale thanks to a team of Santa's little helpers

A team of Airedale residents are determined to ensure families in the community have an unforgettable Christmas by organising visits from Santa, Mrs Claus, The Grinch and hot chocolate cones.
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Support worker Claire Wilson began making festive hot chocolate cones for her work colleagues' children as a lockdown lift-me-up gift as Christmas approaches.

With plenty of made up cones leftover, she decided to distribute them to children in the Airedale community.

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She wrote a Facebook post and received an ‘overwhelming’ response from community members.

Support worker Claire Wilson began making festive hot chocolate cones for her work colleagues' children as a lockdown lift-me-up gift as Christmas approaches.Support worker Claire Wilson began making festive hot chocolate cones for her work colleagues' children as a lockdown lift-me-up gift as Christmas approaches.
Support worker Claire Wilson began making festive hot chocolate cones for her work colleagues' children as a lockdown lift-me-up gift as Christmas approaches.

Noticing Claire’s cones were in high demand, her friend, Mel Jackson and local business owner, Jenny Brooks, stepped in to lend a hand.

Claire said: “We were so overwhelmed with responses, it’s so sad that kids can’t see Santa this year, or go to garden centres to look at the decorations and there are no church concerts - so Christmas hasn't been the same for them this year.

“Coming off that, we decided to make a Facebook group called ‘Santa Does Lockdown’, so as we approach Christmas, we’ll be dressing up as Christmas characters, like the Grinch, Santa and Mrs Claus, to leave hot chocolate cones and selection boxes on people’s doorsteps.

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“It’ll all be socially distant, so we’ll still be able to wave at families through the window - we want to create lovely childhood memories that they will remember forever.”

Claire said they were so overwhelmed with responses,Claire said they were so overwhelmed with responses,
Claire said they were so overwhelmed with responses,

The operation is running entirely from Claire’s kitchen, where she makes the cones and stores the selection boxes.

Claire’s son, who attends Airedale Junior School, has inspired the ‘Santa Does Lockdown’ team members to donate a cone to each of the 600 plus pupils.

Claire said: “It’s heartbreaking when I receive messages from people in our community who have lost their jobs or who won’t be able to afford the Christmas they want for their families.

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“The purpose of ‘Santa Does Lockdown’ is to give back to the kids of Airedale and put a smile on their faces.

“We forget that they were faced with a massive challenge when they were off school for all that time, it’s such a big shift for them.

“I want to say a big thank you to everybody that's helped us, especially the people who've selection boxes and hot chocolate, they’ve helped to make someone’s day.”

To receive a hot chocolate delivery from the team, visit their facebook page Santa Does Lockdown

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