EAR-SPLITTING PARTY GETS CHRISTMAS OFF TO A NOISY START FOR VISUALLY-IMPAIRED YOUNGSTERS

Twenty-eight blind and visually-impaired youngsters from all over Norfolk and their families enjoyed a noisy start to Christmas when their Christmas party was visited by Santa – aboard a huge truck, accompanied by a Pipe and Drum Band and an escort of Harley Davidson bikers.

The Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind’s annual YoungEyes Christmas Party saw the children and their families, along with friends and supporters, enjoy a raucous festive celebration, with a disco, gingerbread biscuit decorating and a party tea laid on in addition to the ear-splitting arrival of Santa.

The party was made possible by a generous donation from Great Yarmouth firm Becks Motorhomes, as well as donations of food and goodies from local businesses.

The highlight of the party was the arrival of Santa in a huge red truck, accompanied by The Phoenix Pipes and Drums Band from Watton and the riders of the Eaton Harley Davidson Group.  The truck, bikes and drums were then all eagerly inspected by the children and adults alike.

The party was also attended by the Lord mayor and Sheriff of Norwich, the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, and the Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk.

Dorothy Bowen, who co-ordinates the NNAB’s YoungEyes programme, which provides help, support and life skills to children and young people throughout Norfolk, said, “This noisy and fun party was the perfect start to Christmas for all these visually-impaired young people and their families.

“We are extremely grateful to Becks Motorhomes and everyone who helped make the party possible – it demonstrated all the elements which make the true spirit of a Community Christmas become possible.”

The donation from Becks Motorhomes also funded a second Christmas treat, as 22 families with visually-impaired children enjoyed an exclusive Santa Special train on the Bure Valley Railway, experiencing the sounds and smells of steam travel, as well as once again being visited by Santa.