Winter Wonderland raises money for local charity
After having run several successful Halloween charity events from their home in Gawcott, foster carers Stephen and Judith Harper MBE were encouraged by friends to create a bit of old-fashioned Christmas magic for local children, whilst raising funds for the local charity that they support, Alec’s Angels.
Alec’s Angels support children and their families who are coping with childhood cancer. The charity provides equipment and resources for children’s hospices and cancer wards, memory building experiences, practical help at home and individual support for children and young people when required. This is done in memory of Alec Jarvis, a delightful lad who, despite going through the rigours of cancer treatment, remained cheerful and made his parent promise to try and help other children in his situation ‘smile’. http://www.alecsangels.co.uk/
From the initial plan to simply run a Christmas Grotto in their daughter’s music studio in the garden, the idea grew into the rather grandly titled ‘Winter Wonderland’. Supported by their children and grandchildren and a few special friends, on Saturday 13th December 2025 from 3pm until 7pm Stephen and Judith created a magical event which not only included the beautifully decorated ‘Grotto’ complete with Father Christmas and supporting elves, there was also a ‘snowstorm’ every half an hour. There was a giant Christmas tree, an ‘Elf Kitchen’ and ‘Christmas Café’ where people could buy refreshments and sit and experience the festive fun (mince pies and cookies donated by a local supermarket – Every Little Helps).
Children were able to walk through the woodland to find the home of ‘Gawky the Gawcott Elf’ who had left small gifts in his little log cabin for the visiting children as he had to be at the North Pole getting ready for Christmas Eve. There was also a ‘Reindeer Food Station’ where young visitors were helped to make and package little bags of ‘Reindeer Food’ to take home and leave out to guide Father Christmas’s reindeer on Christmas Eve. There were even carrots which could be fed to ponies Kev and Ken – who are, apparently, Gawky’s magic reindeer in training
The 15 minute ‘appointments’ with Father Christmas became an experience that many parents and children afterwards described as the “best Santa visit ever”. Father Christmas chatted with each child and, helped by his Elves, looked through the ‘Nice’ list to find their name. Each child was presented with a lovely gift to take home.
Plans are already under way for another ‘Winter Wonderland’ for December 2026.