SANTA Claus and his helpers helped raise more than £7,000 for Hospice of the Valleys during the festive season.

The popular grotto in Newport's Kingsway Shopping Centre raised £7,240 for the Blaenau Gwent-based charity, thanks to the efforts of enthusiastic volunteers who were Santa’s helpers.

Chief executive of the hospice, Grant Usmar, said: “We at the Hospice feel so privileged to once again have had the support of the Kingsway Shopping Centre and of course Santa himself especially at such a busy time.

"We could not have achieved this without the families who visited the grotto to give their children a great festive experience at the same time raising funds that will make a significant difference to the hundreds of patients and families that we support each year.

"We are very grateful for the time and energy of the volunteers who worked extremely hard to raise this fantastic amount.”

He added: "I am delighted to announce that the Kingsway Shopping Centre and the grotto volunteers have decided to support Hospice of the Valleys again in 2019."

The grotto raised money from November 16 until Christmas Eve.

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