Residents at a North Tyneside care home are giving Santa Claus a helping hand this year, by providing food for Rudolph and his fellow reindeer this Christmas Eve.
Heatherfield Care Home at Annitsford, Cramlington, has decided to hold its first ever Christmas market on 22 November.
And residents of the 74-bed home have entered into the festive spirit by making a selection of gifts themselves, including reindeer food, which they hope to sell to visitors at the event.
From 10.30am to 4pm onwards, residents, their families, friends and members of the wider community will be welcomed with warm mulled wine, tea or coffee and home made mince pies.
They can then browse a variety of stalls from independent retailers and craftspeople, selling everything from scented wax melts to hand made jewellery.
There will also be a cake stall where people will be able to buy a whole home made cake or just purchase a slice or two, along with a raffle and tombola.
And along with the bags of reindeer food – to scatter on garden paths to attract Rudolph and his friends – the residents will be selling Christmas baubles, pot pourri and orange and clove air fresheners from their own stall at the fair.
Resident Angela Perry, 51, is just one of those who has been involved in making items for the care home’s stall.
She said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s nice to take time and trouble making something that someone else might be able to enjoy.”
Manager Fiona Payne who has overseen the preparations said: “The residents have also helped make a considerable number of decorations so the home will look really Christmassy for our visitors.”
Heatherfield – rated Good by the Care Quality Homes Commission – is owned by Prestwick Care and money raised will help fund future activities for residents.
“This is the first time the home has held a Christmas market,” said Fiona, “so everyone is very excited and hoping for a good attendance to support our residents.”
There are still a few vacancies for stalls at the Heatherfield Christmas Market and interested vendors are asked to contact [email protected] for details.
