“Explore Father Christmas’ wonderful toy workshop. Meander down a Dickensian street with shop windows featuring Peter Pumpernickel, Poppy Peasprout and friends and take part in activities including a Naughty-or-Nice machine and a giant Magic Piano, before making your way through to meet Father Christmas himself.” Thus reads the description of the 2015 Harrods Christmas Grotto, which six children and four adults attended last Sunday as part of the KidsOut Fun Days service.

Thanks to the generosity of Philip Gower, the group visited the sold-out attraction on the 15^th of November, before its official daily opening time. Aged between five and 11 years old, the children were contacted throughSiblings Together, a charity that aims to strengthen the relationship between siblings in care.

After meeting with Father Christmas and each receiving a special Harrod’s Teddy, the children enjoyed mince pies and juice in the Disney-themed Christmas Café and gave names to their new cuddly friends. “It was amazing,” said Keeley Mudd, Siblings Together Monthly Activity Days Worker. “There was a lovely Father Christmas who was very happy to talk to the kids, and they all loved their teddies. Our nine-year-old, who was a little older than the others, was the one that loved it the most and was going to look after it forever and ever. It was adorable, and I really think they will look after those teddies forever.”

Running from the beginning of November to Christmas Eve, the Grotto was established as a Harrod’s tradition in 1986; however, Father Christmas has frequented the store as far back as 1908, attracting notable guests such as Princess Elizabeth and her sister in 1938.

The children’s visit to the attraction not only provided a fun treat, but gave siblings time to be together and relate to others in similar situations. “She loved the whole idea of being in Harrods as she had never been there before,” said Lillian, a parent who accompanied her foster daughter. “It was really nicely put together and good to have other foster children there. I was glad that I went and could watch how they all interacted.”

“These outings provide opportunities for the children to come together as brothers and sisters,” said Mudd. “It helps to make memories that are so important, and we always try to take photographs. We often look through pictures to remind us of events, but a lot of these children don’t any. Now they all have photographs with Father Christmas and matching teddies; it’s so special for them to have that time together.”

The KidsOut Fun Days service aims to support disadvantaged children and young people by providing positive experiences that they can cherish for the rest of their lives. Ranging from cinema trips to theme park experiences, Fun Days works with other charities and organisations to reach children in the most needy and desperate situations.