Santa’s Coming Early to Show his Support for Goldenhar!

It’s never too early to start spreading festive cheer, and that is exactly what Santa is doing this year in Swindon - with the help of some very special guests!

For the second year running, inSwindon BID and The Brunel will be providing a five-week long Santa’s Grotto, and are combining to raise money for Goldenhar Family Support Group UK.

Goldenhar Syndrome is a rare condition with no known cause, which usually affects one side of the body and can give the sufferer problems with breathing and hearing, as well as producing pains in the ribs and vertebrae.

On Tuesday 8th November, Dr Chris Steele from ITV1’s This Morning, will be visiting Swindon to meet with Santa for a private viewing of this year’s Santa’s Grotto in the town centre, as well as showing round some very excited children from Westlea Primary School.

One of the school children who will be attending, Morgan Sharpe, suffers from Goldenhar and is very excited about visiting Santa. Morgan’s mum, Kerry Holmes said, “I’ve told Morgan about his class visit to see Santa and he is very excited. It will also be a pleasure for us to be meeting with Dr Chris again.”

Morgan has previously met with Dr Chris when the family appeared on ITV1’s This Morning with Philip Schofield and Fern Britton back in February 2009. Dr Chris has now become patron of the charity and is keen to show his support to activities involving the charity where he can.

Dr Chris will be coming straight from the show on Tuesday 8th November for the launch of the grotto, which officially opens to the general public in conjunction with the town centre’s Christmas Lights Switch-On, set for Thursday 17th November. Also making a special appearance to meet with the children is the Wyvern Theatre’s very own Fairy Godmother.

Simon Jackson, CEO of inSwindon BID said, “This is the third year we have organised the Santa’s Grotto in The Brunel and each year it is a great success. This year, The Brunel and inSwindon wanted to share this success with a charity and decided to show our support to Goldenhar Family Support Group UK. Morgan and his family have gone through a lot over the years and hopefully the Santa’s Grotto will only create more awareness of the charity and Swindon’s support to other families across the UK.”

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