REINDEERS Donner and Dancer helped to boost our Guardian Angels appeal by £969.

The pair were part of a magical Santa's grotto created by The Farm Shop And Café, at the Willow House Caravan Park, in Wigginton Road, York.

Fifty pence from every child's admission to the winter wonderland went to the appeal which is aiming to raise £300,000, for a new high-dependency unit for children at York Hospital.

Lyn King, a partner at the Farm Shop, said: "We were absolutely delighted with the amount raised. It's been nice to have helped such a worthwhile cause."

The specially-constructed grotto opened for about four weeks in the run-up to Christmas and was visited by thousands of families.

Lyn said: "The feedback we had from our grotto was excellent.

"The children really loved it, especially when Santa knew their names and a little bit about them."

She said the shop would be supporting the Guardian Angels appeal again this Easter at its petting farm.

There will be lamb feeding, guinea pigs, rabbits, pygmy goats and chicks, as well as a calf to pet.

Lyn said: "It will be a real hands-on experience for the children."

Admission will be £3 for children, with 50p going to the Guardian Angels appeal.

Lyn also said the two female reindeers, Donner and Dancer, were now a permanent feature at the site - and they will soon be joined by a male companion. She said: "Hopefully, we will have some little reindeers by next year."

If you want to make a donation, or have money you raised through a charity event to contribute, please send cheques or postal orders, made out to The Press Guardian Angels Appeal, to: Accounts, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.