Santa's Grotto set up for Birichen children as coronavirus scuppers party
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Members of Birichen Children's Party Committee had to think outside the box this year as the coronavirus pandemic put paid to their normal yuletide activities.
The committee traditionally organises an annual children’s party with a visit from Santa bearing gifts for each child.
And in addition, members hold a popular sale of work every year to raise funds to gift local pensioners a voucher to spend in Dornoch shops.
Group treasurer Tiffany Fraser said: “Covid-19 has meant that, like every other committee and charitable organisation in the country, we have had to cancel our annual fixtures and think out of the box as to what we could do.”
“The sale of work was out of the question, so after careful consideration and planning, the committee organised for a small group to meet and cut wood and fulfil orders to local people.
“We delivered the orders on November 15, which meant we could cover the costs of the Christmas vouchers we wanted to send out this year.”
Ms Fraser added that after some careful ‘elf-masterminding’, a special Santa’s grotto was set up and families given their own time slot to visit.
“The afternoon stayed dry and Santa – behind a desk and with sanitiser at the ready – welcomed the children in one at a time,” she said.
“It made it all worthwhile to see the beaming smiles on the children’s faces.
“The committee would like to thank our supporters for helping us continue this valuable tradition and we hope to have our traditional sale of work next year.”
The Birichen Children’s Party Committee has a proud history – it was started during World War II by the Home Guard who raised funds by holding raffles and dances.
