Highland Hospice has said a massive thank you to Eastgate Shopping Centre for the donation of a Grotto which raised £17,076 for the charity in the run up to Christmas.
The shopping centre donated the use of the retail unit next to New Look, as well as funding and arranging its magical décor in the theme of Snow White, which was also this year’s pantomime at Eden Court.
Highland Hospice Events Fundraiser Jenna Hayden said, “We are so grateful to Eastgate Shopping Centre Manager Jackie Cuddy and her team for nominating Highland Hospice to benefit from this amazing Grotto. It was an incredible donation which enabled us to raise far more than ever before. It has been wonderful to work in partnership with Eastgate and thanks to Jackie’s generosity we have raised over £17,000 which will directly help our patients and their families at an incredibly difficult time.”
The Grotto opened its doors on Sunday 19 November and was open every following Thursday to Sunday until Christmas Eve with children meeting Santa and having the option of a photograph and/or gift. It also had a stock of Highland Hospice Christmas cards, calendars and other goods which raised a further £385.
Jenna continued, “We really had the perfect combination for this year’s Grotto – the support of a well established shopping centre, a fantastic location with heavy footfall, the services of Donald Jack for helping us bring Santa to the Grotto, his lovely wife Carol and our incredible team of loyal Hospice volunteer elves who kept the Unit running like clockwork.”
“This truly was a magical Christmas for Highland Hospice.”