Marlbrook employees help local hospice get ready for Christmas

Marlbrook-based employees from global snack provider, Mondel?z International, have got in the festive spirit and added a touch of Christmas magic to local hospice, St Michael 's Hospice.

A team of 11 employees from the Marlbrook site spent eight hours volunteering at St Michael 's Hospice to install Herefordshire 's most-loved Santa grotto experience, which included setting up Santa 's giant sleigh, an animatronic reindeer, as well as installing more than 50,000 fairy lights.

During the volunteering day, the team of 11 from Mondel?z International 's Marlbrook site also received a close-up look at how the charity provides invaluable care for local families living with a terminal illness.

This year 's Santa 's grotto is set to return from 3 to 17 December where patients, relatives, staff, volunteers and local families will be able to enjoy a magical light trail, a visit to the Reindeer stables and a Naughty Elf garden, as well as take a short journey on the St Michael 's Express.

The festive-themed experience is a renowned annual event within the local community and is set to welcome more than 2,500 guests when it returns next month. The funds raised from Santa 's grotto will help St Michael 's Hospice continue to make a positive difference to patients, carers and families who are in need of care.

Mark Jackson, Marlbrook site mental health ally at Mondel?z International, said: “Myself and all of my colleagues really enjoyed installing the Christmas experience at St Michael 's Hospice and it was great being able to go and spend some time away as a team from our normal environment!

“It 's rewarding to know that the time we spent volunteering will provide families within our local community with a fantastic festive day out, as well as raise vital funds for the hospice. I would also like to thank our shift manager Monika Briffett for arranging and participating in such a fantastic day, and the St Michael 's Hospice team for looking after us and for all the hard work they do. ”

Matt Ashcroft, events and community fundraiser manager at St Michael 's Hospice, added: "The Marlbrook team at Mondel?z International have provided invaluable support by installing our popular Hospice Christmas Lights and Santa 's Grotto, ahead of its highly anticipated return next month.

“We have already raised £14,000 to-date from ticket sales and we are hoping to reach the £20,000 milestone before Christmas, which will help fund the charity 's care for local families living with a terminal illness. We 'd like to say a massive thank you to the Marlbrook team at Mondel?z International, as the support has made a massive difference and will ensure that this is our best festive season yet! ”

For more information on Mondel?z International, please visit www.mondelezinternational.com, and for further details on St Michael 's Hospice, head to www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk.