A NURSERY is holding its annual charity Christmas grotto in a bid to raise funds for a charitable cause.
Busy Bees Kindergarten in Manningtree will be playing host to the festive event on December 16 and December 17.
Each year, the nursery creates its grotto with interactive displays, to be enjoyed for just one weekend.
All of the money raised traditionally goes to charities in the area and this year’s effort is no different.
The nursery will be fundraising for Evie’s Marathon, having been inspired by her story which includes being diagnosed with an enlarged heart at just two years of age.
This is known as end-stage heart failure, meaning Evie needed a new heart.
In order for Evie to stay alive, she underwent an operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital and had a machine heart fitted to pump her blood.
While waiting in intensive care for a new heart, Evie faced further life-threatening complications including a stroke, which led to losing her sight and control of the left side of her body.
Evie, who is now ten, received a new heart just before her third birthday but this came with more complications.
She has post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, which is a type of lymphoma.
As her immunity is very low, Evie is unable to do activities that other children her age can do, including going to school, swimming or having play dates.
Busy Bees Kindergarten’s Christmas grotto is built by Andy Hoy, who also plays the role of Santa.
Funds will be raised from selling Christmas cards with a one-off design by artist David Downes, who has an art studio in Manningtree and has created unique pieces over the years.
When approached about a charity Christmas card he offered to donate a painting to use on the cards.
David has just celebrated a year of his new studio and is selling the cards at the venue.
A spokesman from Busy Bees Kindergarten said: “Last year we raised just over £800 and we’d love to push towards £1,000 this year.
“Tickets are selling fast so please pop along to busybeeskindergartencic.setmore.com/ to book the teaming slots now.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here