THIS December, the magical stage show Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure comes to Swindon Arts Centre and the cast are helping to bring joy to some of Swindon’s most deserving children.

The Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre have teamed up with local children’s charity Hop Skip and Jump to launch a special Christmas Advent Calendar drive.

They are calling for donations of Advent Calendars, which will be presented to boys and girls from the Hop, Skip and Jump Children’s Centre by Santa’s Elves when they make a special appearance on Friday, November 27.

Advent Calendars can be dropped off at the Wyvern Theatre Ticket Office or the Arts Centre reception at any time until Thursday, November 26.

Hop Skip and Jump provide flexible and immediate respite care for children and young adults.

They have four large centres (Bristol, Cheltenham, Swindon and Wigan), providing a variety of indoor and outdoor activities to engage and inspire children with disabilities and special educational needs.

At Hop Skip and Jump, children and adult users experience a sense of space and freedom within a safe, supervised environment where they are actively encouraged to take part in activities that build self-confidence, social skills and self-esteem.

Their high quality care provides parents and carers with some much needed respite: time to rest; spend time with their other children; or simply go for a coffee with friends.

Marketing manager at Swindon Theatres, Laura James said this of the campaign: ‘We’re really excited to welcome Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure to the Arts Centre this year, and we wanted to engage with a deserving local charity that would benefit from a visit from Santa’s Elves in the run up to Christmas.

"Hop Skip and Jump provide an invaluable service to local children with disabilities and special needs and their families and we’re really looking forward to delivering the Advent calendars to them.

"We’re calling it Santa Claus and the Christmas ADVENT-ure! It would be wonderful if local people and businesses were able to make a donation."

  •  For more information on Hop Skip and Jump, visit their website hopskipandjump.org.uk.
  • Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure will be at Swindon Arts Centre from Saturday, December 12 -Thursday, December 24. Fore information and to book tickets visit swindontheatres.co.uk or telephone the Ticket office on 01793 524481.
  • Advent calendar donations will be collected until Thursday, November 26 and can be taken to the Wyvern Theatre Ticket Office between the hours of 10am and 6pm Mon-Sat, or to the Arts Centre Reception between the hours of 10am and 5pm Mon-Fri or 10am-1pm on Saturdays.