A CHARITY which normally hosts Christmas parties for thousands of children has created a whole different look for 2020.

The Children Adventure Farm Trust, based in Millington near Lymm, is famed for its celebrations which help children across the north west.

But this year’s celebrations, which started last weekend and run until December 23, look rather different due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Helen Crowther, from the charity, explains: “A traditional CAFT Christmas would ordinarily take place across our 10 acre site, focussing mainly on our indoor facilities including our sports hall and farmhouse, and would largely benefit groups of children from schools, charities and clubs.

“Sadly these parties can’t go ahead as planned this year but we’ve taken the lessons learned during the Family Visit Programme (short visits for individual families which we’ve been running since June – so far helping more than 1,000 families) to create a whole new festive experience which will bring magic into the lives of 1,500 children this Christmas.”

More than 450 families have been invited to join the charity for a visit to the Woodland Winter Wonderland – a unique festive experience they’ll never forget.

These visits will see individual families exploring and enchanting woodland which is adorned with twinkling fairy lights, Nordic trees and all things Christmassy!

Helen added: “Restrictions permitting, we are also hoping to work with 10 local schools to provide their children with a safe Christmas at CAFT experience, meaning a further 150 children will benefit.

“Each child will take part in a programme of fun activities including a visit to the Christmas barn to see the animals, toasting marshmallows around the campfire, live music and games in the Festive Fun Zone, Christmas crafts to take home, a magical Elf Trail treasure hunt and a visit to see Santa in his Outdoor Grotto when they will receive gifts and sweet treats from the man himself.

“This magic can only happen with the help of our amazing supporters – never has their generosity been needed more.

“We would be so grateful for any donations which help us to achieve our aim of bringing the fun of Christmas into the lives of these amazing children.

“Financial donations are always welcome, as are new toys, gifts and selection boxes.”

ONE of the biggest fundraising events on the calendar at The Children’s Adventure Farm trust is its Christmas ball which normally takes place in mid-December.
 

The charity, based near Lymm, raises tens of thousands of pounds at the event at The Mere in Knutsford.
 

It is one of the most important events the charity hosts in its annual fundraising drive
 

Well this year’s event, as with so many other things during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, has been cancelled.
 

But all is not lost, as one of the charity’s fundraisers, Helen Crowther explains.
 

“We have a cunning plan which will help us to not only raise vital funds but also to engage supporters who rely on this event to kickstart their festive season,” she said. 
 

“On Friday, December 11 we’re going to be hosting a virtual event – A Cracking Christmas Night in for CAFT.
 

“We’ll be encouraging groups of friends/families/colleagues to gather together at home (where possible) or to link up via video sharing platforms (Zoom etc), to take part in a virtual event like no other.
 

“We’re so excited that a few of our amazing patrons (John Bishop, Jason Manford, Noddy Holder and John Thomson) have agreed to provide some exclusive entertainment for the night, and there’ll be loads of fun activities for our guests to be involved in throughout the event. 

 

“It’s going to be an interactive event with a live host, music and lots of chances to win some great prizes.”
n The event takes place next Friday, December 11 and you can tickets now.
Tickets can be purchased now at the following website enter.caft.co.uk.