Santa calls in with Armoy’s Grace

The charity which takes 100 local children with life threatening or life limiting conditions to Lapland every year, has rolled out its new COVID safe festive campaign, delivering gifts to 101 very special children across NI.

The NICLT was forced to cancel its yearly trip to Santa’s Grotto in Lapland in light of the pandemic and instead opted for a safer option, which saw it deliver gifts to the value of £200 to each of the children nominated by the various Hospital Trusts.

Siblings of those affected by illness and/or disability also received smaller gifts.

Grace McErlean (12) from Armoy was one of the 101 very special children who was recently paid a visit by Santa’s helpers and elves. Grace was nominated for the NICLT’s Three Steps to Christmas campaign by the Northern Trust.

She is pictured with Colin Barkley Chairman NICLT and Aleesha Williamson Deronja.

The campaign, which the charity has called ‘Three Steps to Christmas’ began with a detailed and touching letter from Santa to the 101 children nominated. This was followed up by a video greeting, from the man himself, from his home in Lapland, with his head elf, Juju, by his side.

These 101 children across NI have this week received gifts right to their doorsteps in time for Christmas.

The campaign was only made possible by the many supporters of NICLT, who donated funds and embarked on their own fundraising activities to raise money.

It was also made possible by NI telecoms firm, Barclay Communications, who made a magnificent donation of £20,000 last month, to pay for every gift purchased for the nominated children.

To find out more about the charity click on https://www.niclt.org/ or follow on Facebook @childrentolaplandtrust