Derry Winter Wonderland with a difference helping those less fortunate this Christmas

A family centre in Derry has launched a Christmas Winter Wonderland aimed at helping those in the community who may be less fortunate than others.

The Rainbow Child and Family Centre first launched its own Winter Wonderland last year with the aim of giving families an affordable alternative to having to pay to visit Christmas grottoes.

However, this year the centre has teamed up with the Foyle Food Bank to help out local families who may be experiencing difficulties over the festive season.

The Winter Wonderland event will begin on Sunday next, December 16 and run until December 22, with all visitors to the event asked to donate one tin of food to the centre.

Speaking to the Derry News, Jacki Connolly said the generosity already shown by local schools had meant they were already well-stocked to help those in need.

“We ran it last year and it was a huge success, so we decided this year that we would team up with the Foyle Food Bank for this initiative,” she said.

“Thanks to the generosity of the local schools we already have 400-500 tins so we’re well on the way.”

She added: “All we’re asking is for people coming to visit the Winter Wonderland to bring a tin, or they can just drop into the Rainbow Child and Family Centre here in Bracken Park any time.”

Sinn Fein councillor for the area, Elisha McCallion, commended the Rainbow Child and Family Centre and the Foyle Food Bank for the initiative.

“The idea for this came after we spoke to parents who did have concerns about the price of visiting Santa in the run up to Christmas,” Cllr McCallion said.

“This is a fantastic initiative not only for the fact that it will help out families in need but it’s great value for money for those wishing to take their children to a Winter Wonderland in their own community.”