Stand at Santa Paws Christmas weekend at Dogs Trust in Leeds
By Jazmine Ella Blackah
DOGS had a chance to get all their Christmas wishes when they met Father Christmas at the Dogs Trust’s charity centre in Leeds.
A new, bigger Santa’s grotto opened at the Christmas event that is held annually at the Dogs Trust in Leeds, called Santa Paws.
The event has always run on the first weekend of December and came back to Leeds last weekend (December 2) and it definitely got all the tails wagging.
For the first time the new Santa’s grotto was outside in a marquee which was given to the charity for free by Celebration Marquees and all the furry visitors were given the chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas this year and get a photo to take home for £5.
Dogs Trust Santa Paws weekend Christmas event
Sarah Hey, the supporter relations officer for Dogs Trust in Leeds said: “It feels a lot more organised because we have been able to have a better queuing system in place but unfortunately the printer broke yesterday so that was a bit of a disaster but everyone was so kind.”
Joy Corner, member of staff at the home by home scheme at the Dogs Trust in Leeds said: “I think it has been busier this year. I think it is because every year it gets more and more recognition.
“I think the new grotto is a lot better because before it use to be in the little interview room and it was quite small and you had a lot people waiting in reception queuing up.”
Pauline Burhouse, a Dogs Trust fundraiser volunteer in Leeds said: “When we were here last year the queue went all the way into the other room while they were waiting to see Father Christmas.”
The raffle prizes up for grabs were also bigger and better than ever this year as the grand prize was a trip to the cinema in a limousine.
Ms Hey said: “The raffle is amazing this year, we have got anything from boxes of sweets to bottles of whisky but also a lovely guy from Airmont Chauffeurs has offered us a package where he is going to pick you up from your home in one of his sofa driven limousines and take you to the cinema.
“We have got a night in Aldwick Hall up in York. It is a fantastic raffle and definitely worth buying a ticket.”