BRIDGWATER shoppers have helped to raise more than £2,000 for two dedicated charities after more than 1,000 children visited Santa’s Grotto at the town’s shopping centre.

Between Saturday, November 26 and Friday, December 23, parents and their children had the chance to meet Santa and his elves at Angel Place Shopping Centre, whilst showing their support for Elliot’s Touch and Marie Curie.

Roger Smith, Angel Place shopping centre manager, said he was absolutely delighted to be able to donate such a fantastic amount to two incredible charities on behalf of the town’s generous shoppers.

“We had a brilliant time at the centre during the Christmas period and everyone enjoyed meeting Santa and his elves at the Angel Place grotto,” he said.

“Last year we managed to raise £1,900 for both Marie Curie and Elliot’s Touch, so we thought this was the perfect opportunity to continue our support and beat last year’s fundraising total."

Between Monday, 19 and Wednesday, 21 December, shoppers also had the chance to raise some extra funds with the Rowing with Rudolph event, where shoppers had the chance to compete against each other in a time trial for a small donation.

Roger added: “Not only did we have the grotto, but the centre also teamed up with 1610 Trinity Sports and Leisure and EDF Energy for the rowing machine challenge, which raised an extra £214 and was added to the funds to be split between the charities.

“Over the festive season, we had some amazing feedback from Bridgwater families about how fantastic our grotto was, so we can’t wait to start planning for Christmas 2017,” he said.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who visited the grotto and made a donation to Elliot’s Touch and Marie Curie.”

Elliot’s Touch was formed in 2015, in memory of one-year-old Elliot Stevens who suffered from a heart condition named Mitochondrial Disease and Childhood Cardiomyopathy and Marie Curie, which was founded in 1948, is dedicated to providing care and support for those living with a terminal illness.

Donna Stevens of Elliot’s Touch, said: “We feel extremely lucky to be given the chance to help run Santa’s Grotto again this year and all of the Elliot’s Touch elves had so much fun.

“We raised a record amount of money and met some lovely people this year and the funds raised will be going towards Mitochondria Disease Research, which will be led by Great Ormond Street Hospital and will benefit nation wide and hopefully soon save lives.

“We would like to say a really big thank you to Angel Place for making this happen as well as Bob Fursland, for his part in running the grotto.”