Christmas Festivities Raise Thousands For Wales Air Ambulance

Students and staff at Coleg Cambria have raised over £6,500 for Wales Air Ambulance at their annual Christmas Fairs and Markets.

Held across the college’s Wrexham, Northop and Llysfasi sites, visitors and students had the chance to enjoy plenty of festive activities while raising vital funds for the college’s chosen charity.

As part of the fundraising the Yale site played host to a Christmas Craft Fair – allowing budding entrepreneurs to showcase their produce. Father Christmas himself also paid a visit to the college to take part in the festive fun and games.

Speaking about the event, Rona Griffiths WorldSkills Manager at Coleg Cambria said: “Students and staff were really keen to set up a quality Christmas craft market this year and open it out to the general public. It was great to see the market included and published in the Wrexham events leading up to Christmas.

“Young budding entrepreneurs were able to test trade their products and learn invaluable selling techniques from the experienced stallholders. We’ve had really positive and very useful feedback from stallholders and shoppers alike who are keen to see the market become a permanent fixture in Wrexham town centre Christmas events and to see it grow in stature. We are delighted to say that we have already raised a fantastic amount for Wales Air Ambulance from this event alone.”

At the Llysfasi Campus local schools, community groups and residents were amongst the hundreds who enjoyed the event.

Visitors were able to visit Santa’s Grotto and watch a live nativity play featuring both students and animals from the college. Local school pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Pentrecelyn and Llanfair were also part of the festivities, performing Christmas carols for the crowds.

Gareth Jones, Director of the Llysfasi site said the event helped bring ‘together the college and local community’.

He added: “Students and staff worked really hard to transform the workshop into a festive themed fair.

“We were delighted to see so many people attend and enjoy the many different activities that were taking place throughout the day, with the added bonus of raising such a large sum of money for Wales Air Ambulance.”

At the Northop Campus over 30 stalls joined together to sell original crafts and gifts – along with carol singing and hot refreshments.

There was also fun for all the family with plenty of activities for younger visitors, including face painting, tours of the animal centre to see the reptiles and monkeys as well as a special visit from Father Christmas.

Assistant Principal and Director, Northop, Vivienne Martin said: “I would like to say thank you to all our students and staff for the hard work and creativity of making the Christmas market the success it was and for the local community and the external stall holders for supporting us.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves and we raised lots of money for our chosen charity – air ambulance Wales. Events like this give our students a wealth of education and experience whilst having fun and doing something good for others.”