Christmas Festival celebrations went with a bang!

A Christmas Festival which transformed the grounds of St Catherine’s Hospice into a festive winter wonderland has been hailed an enormous success.
The Hospice at Lostock Hall organised the event for the first time this year and has been overwhelmed by the support it received from the local community.
Visitors flocked to the two-day event on Friday and Saturday which featured a host of attractions including stalls selling gifts, cards and clothes; a fabulous food market; fairground rides; Santa’s grotto; a craft fair; live music and even an ice rink.

Special guest on the Saturday was British champion figure skater Stacey Kemp, who took to the ice with her partner David King to show off a few tricks, and also manned a collection bucket.
The 24-year-old, who grew up in Chorley but is now based in Florida, wanted to show her support after her father David received care from St Catherine’s during his battle with bowel cancer.
Stacey said she had loved every minute of the Christmas Festival.
She said: “The festival was an absolutely beautiful event and it was great to be able to be a part of it all especially after St Catherine’s cared for my Dad a few years ago.

“The ice rink is definitely enjoyable for the children and we’ve been helping many of them on the rink as well as doing a few of our own tricks for people who came on the day.
“I wasn’t really ready for Christmas but now that I’ve been to the festival, I’m really starting to get into the festive spirit.”
Bands, choirs and even a pantomime entertained people across the weekend of the festival.
David White, author and director of Sherlock Holmes The Panto Crime, said: “Everybody who participates in the pantomime appreciates the care that St Catherine’s Hospice provides to people in the local community, so we were more than happy to support such a worthy cause.
“There’s a great sense of community spirit here at the hospice and we are keen to promote the services offered to the community.”
Rachel Hewitt, Head of Trading at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “Everyone at St Catherine’s is over the moon with the success of our first ever Christmas Festival.
“The support we received from the local community was fantastic – we hope everyone enjoyed themselves and that the event has left people feeling festive as we approach Christmas.

“We’d also like to thank the volunteers whose help and support made the festival possible, as well as our staff who have worked hard planning the event in the weeks and months leading up to it.
“All the money raised over the weekend will go towards the specialised care and support we provide to patients living with conditions which can be treated but not cured and their families across the area.”

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