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Santa's grotto wonderland helps woman raise money for cancer research


By Chris Saunderson

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A WOMAN who threw herself into making Christmas fun for local children to help her cope with a cancer diagnosis has just celebrated another charity Santa's grotto - and a positive prognosis.

Lynnie and Santa with her granddaughter Ayla.
Lynnie and Santa with her granddaughter Ayla.

Lynnie Craig has turned her garden into a massive winter wonderland to raise money for cancer research the last four years.

Local children flocked to her home in Dove Avenue, New Elgin over four nights.

Faith and Tyler Sherwin with Santa. Picture: Graham Cormie.
Faith and Tyler Sherwin with Santa. Picture: Graham Cormie.

With money still coming in, Lynnie reckons they will have raised more than double the £755 they raised in 2020.

"Last Christmas I was diagnosed with cancer and didn't know what kind of treatment I would be facing.

"I turned my back garden into the grotto again and filled it with children to help me get through it."

Lynnie and grandson Lewis Craig with Santa.
Lynnie and grandson Lewis Craig with Santa.

After undergoing chemo and radiotherapy, Lynnie is doing well and was determined to go big with the grotto again this year.

"Everybody loved it. I dressed up as Mrs Claus, we had little elves, music playing and the back garden was magical."

Santa Claus with Lynnie's daughter India Craig. Picture: Graham Cormie
Santa Claus with Lynnie's daughter India Craig. Picture: Graham Cormie

Her friend, Andy Layton James, who is himself going through his own cancer journey, was part of the magic.

Daughter Nicoya and her husband Ally turned a motorhome into a ticket office, and Lynnie's daughter India (9) was a little elf.

A winter wonderland for the children.
A winter wonderland for the children.

Graham Cormie took photos of the children in return for donations to charity.

Added Lynnie: "I turned a negative into a positive last year and this is something we will continue to do every year. We sold out this year and unfortunately had to turn people away."

Santa's grotto all lit up for the season.
Santa's grotto all lit up for the season.

Lynnie continues to undergo regular tests to ensure the cancer remains at bay, but is positive about the future.

A warm welcome from an illuminated snowman and santa.
A warm welcome from an illuminated snowman and santa.

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