METQUARTER MAGIC IN STORE AT CHRISTMAS

VISITORS to Liverpool’s Metquarter will experience a magical Christmas this year with spectacular seasonal calendar of special events. From Thursday, 18 November 2010, there will be huge range of activity including Christmas choirs, gingerbread decorating, warmed mulled wine with cinnamon mince pies, children’s storytelling as well as Father Christmas himself who will be joined by his official ‘little helpers’. All the activity is taking place on late night shopping which begins on Thursdays from 18 November 2010 to 16 December 2010 from 4pm to 8pm. A free gift-wrapping service will also be available from 2 December 2010.

A huge snow globe experience will also be in place from 20 November, providing families with a magical photo opportunity. The 4 metre high globe will be in place until the end of December and is suitable for all ages. Live performances will also take place from inside the snow globe; further details will be announced shortly.

Metquarter Centre Manager Jennina O’Neill said,:- “This year’s Christmas programme is really exciting and designed to capture the imagination of our visitors. People will be amazed at the transformation and the range of activity means there is literally something for everyone. The new stores are already attracting new shoppers and I think everything that’s happening will boost trade and provide people with an unforgettable seasonal experience.”

The children at Hopscotch Nursery are the first in line to take advantage of Metquarter’s Christmas activity. They will be attending each late night Thursday to enjoy the story telling and gingerbread decorating together with the interactive cookery classes at Franklins Deli as well as photos in the snow-globe.

Metquarter will also be offering special prizes in a competition for best photograph emailed into Metquarter’s facebook page taken from the Christmas fun board. And free pairs of gloves with a winter warmer gift inside will be given away at the Ice Rink in Williamson Square on late night Thursdays.

Metquarter is home to 35 national and international brands and the latest new stores, Daniel Footwear, Franklins Deli, Urban Calm, Two Seasons and Daniel Footwear will all add to the Christmas shopping experience.

Wishgranting charity asks local people to help conjure up Christmas cheer for brave children

A leading wish granting charity is urging people in the North of England to take a break from their busy Yuletide routines and engage in a spot of festive fundraising.

109 young people in Northern England have been granted wishes in 2010 by Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK. Now the charity is asking supporters to give the ultimate Christmas present and help them to grant more wishes in the region in 2011.

Young people granted a magical and uplifting wish in the region by Make-A-Wish in 2010 include Caitlin Dixon, five, from Stockton-on-Tees. She wished to be a princess for the day and was duly whisked by Make-A-Wish to Hazlewood Castle near Leeds for a day of fairy tale enchantment. Caitlin, who has a Brain Tumour, was thrilled to have a princess cake, special outfit and even a horse-drawn carriage organised for her by the charity.

Karen England, Director of Fundraising at Make-A-Wish, said:- “Make-A-Wish is asking people in Northern England to help raise vital funds for us at work, at home or at school. There are so many fun ways to take part. Why not add a bit of seasonal sparkle to fundraising? You can hold a Christmas party, have a mince pie sale – even organise a ‘dress down’ day at work with a seasonal spin. With every penny raised we can grant more wishes to people like Caitlin and bring more hope and magical memories to brave children from across Northern England.”

There are currently 20,000 children and young people in the UK fighting a life-threatening illness and by 2012 Make-A-Wish is aiming to grant at least 1,000 wishes a year. To grant all these Make-A-Wish is aiming to raise at least £5 million by the end of 2010.

For more information about organising an event over the festive season for Make-A-Wish please visit their website or telephone them on:- 01276 40 50 80.