Christmas magic lights up care home all to raise money for Brian House Children's Hospice

The team at the Conifers Care Home in Victoria Road East have taken advantage of the home's spacious front garden to turn it into a winter wonderland for all the see - at a safe distance from the pavement. The official 'switch on' took place at the weekend in front of the home's residents, whilst onlookers watched the sparkle unfold. Dressed as Disney characters, elves and, of course, Father Christmas, staff danced through the gardens, waving at children who had stopped to soak up the Christmas magic. It's all to raise money for Brian House Children's Hospice and the lights will shine throughout the season.

Care home owner Suzanne Clague said she wanted to unite the community after such a difficult year. She said: "We have had so much positive feedback, I think we have needed this.

"The residents have loved getting involved and they helped to choose which chairty we did this for. One resident, who is 96, said to me 'when's the next show! It has all been massively risk assessed for Covid safety, the staff dressed as characters were still wearing their PPE underneath. It's all being done from a distance. It's about the community, feeling good and spreading some magic sparkle."

Tomorrow (9th) and next Wednesday (16th) the characters will be in the gardens again from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and part of it will include a sing-a-long. There's a post box for children to post their letters to Father Christmas and the Ashley Club, next door to the care home, has provided its car park for anyone who wants to see the lights. Suzanne added: "I want to thanks Morrisons too, they have been amazing with donations"