Enchanted Christmas for Children at The Kennedy Centre

by Ulster Life • December 7, 2015 • Entertainment, Events • Comments (0) • 2379

Kennedy Centre in Belfast is giving special children an extra special Christmas gift. Thanks to Santa and Enchanted Events, the centre is opening up its Christmas dome exclusively for children with special needs and is the only shopping centre in Ireland to offer this unique experience.

Angela Lamont owner of Enchanted Events came up with this idea having worked with disabled children in The Gateway Club, before opening her company. She says;

“Meeting Santa should be an enjoyable, precious experience, but unfortunately for children in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities such as autism, crowds and noise just make them anxious and many start crying. Every Sunday until Christmas from 9am – 1pm and from 6pm – 8pm, Santa will meet these extraordinary kids, give them presents and they can get their photograph taken in our giant dome. For those in wheelchairs who cannot get into the dome, we got a special festive backdrop commissioned so they don’t miss out. We don’t play music either, so it’s a lovely, calming experience, sparkled with all the Christmas excitement We posted our idea on Facebook a few days ago and have already received over 60,000 followers.”

Five Year Old Adam Lockhart from Brookfield Special School in Lisburn met Santa on Sunday and thought the whole experience was “awesome.” He says;

“I am going to tell all my friends in Brookfield to come and see Santa next Sunday as you don’t have to queue and it’s really cool. I’m the most intelligent boy in my class, so everyone will listen to me. Santa says that I’ve been a good boy too and he is going to bring me lots of Thomas (The Tank Engine) toys.”

Pictured with Adam Lockheart is Santa, Angela Lamont from Enchanted Events and John Jones, centre manager for Kennedy Centre.

For further information check out Enchanted Events’ Facebook page