Real Communities (Flintshire) is a not-for-profit social enterprise committed to bringing communities together through information sessions, workshops and cross-cultural, cross-community events for all county residents regardless of age, gender, social, cultural, religious or linguistic background.

As part of fundraising for the second International Celebration Day held in our area next summer, this event will help fundraise for that event but will be of immediate significance for many local families. It will have a multicultural theme combined with festivity including salsa and kizomba dance workshops, European and Mexican food, ethnic gifts and crafts and importantly a visit from Santa with a gift for attending children for which there will be no charge although donations are hoped for.

This is an area where there is little money and where many families without their own transport find it difficult to visit out-of-town grottos for their children to visit Santa, and if they do, they can be costly especially for families with more than one child. This is why it is important so all members of the community can do something locally for their children and soak up an internationally themed Christmas event at the same time. There will also be free educational resources for young visitors.

All funding received will be used to pay for advertising leaflets and posters, room hire, the cost of food ingredients, crockery, cutlery, soft/hot drinks, hiring of a couple of professional performers/dance tutors. Funding is required within the next two weeks ideally to ensure the event can go ahead with time to spread the word.

This is important to me as it will set a precedent and allow exposure for the organisation and future community bridging events I intend to organise. All donations will be gratefully received and make a lot of adults and children happy with a special day to remember just before Christmas.

Thank you for taking time to read this.