A WIRRAL charity for people with autism is taking its annual seasonal celebrations online this year.

The team at Autism Together has not let the pandemic get in the way of Christmas cheer by setting up a personalised video messaging service direct from Santa's grotto.

They are also busy gathering recordings from a host of seasonal entertainers in order to host an online version of their annual Christmas Concert, which will be broadcast via Zoom, completely free of charge.

The Bromborough-based charity, which supports over 400 people with autism, has already tasted success with virtual events this year after holding its annual Summer Fair completely via Facebook back in July, raising over £3,000 in the process.

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This year, Autism Together’s annual Christmas Concert is going to be online and free to watch via Zoom.

Fundraising manager Lisa Masters said: "Like the rest of us, Father Christmas is socially distancing this year, but he has agreed to work with Autism Together to deliver personalised messages to our friends and supporters, direct from his grotto.

"There are a range of message options available, including an age-appropriate present and Christmas goody bag.

"Parents can even book a message from Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve reminding their little ones to go to bed early before the reindeer arrive.

"As always, we've made this service as autism-friendly as possible, with options of using Makaton signing in the video, or even choosing to have a message from one of the North Pole elves instead of Santa."

Bookings for the Virtual Santa’s Grotto are now open at www.trybooking.co.uk/VJV

Autism Together are following up the grotto with a Virtual Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 10.

The evening event will be free to watch and will encompass a live feed from the charity’s head office, interspersed with seasonal music and entertainment recorded in advance by local performers and some of the people Autism Together supports.

Lisa Masters continued: "Along with the mixture of live and recorded entertainment, we will also be drawing our big Sunshine Holiday Raffle live on the night.

"And as our Christmas Concert attendees usually get to enjoy a warm drink and a sweet treat on the night, this year we'll be sending out hot chocolate and biscuits to all guests who make a donation to our charity when they register to join us for the concert.

"It's been a tough year for everyone and we look forward to celebrating the Christmas season with you all and looking forward to a brighter future together.

"Funds raised this Christmas will be used to help build an all-weather sensory garden and cycle track at our site in Raby.

"If anyone would like to make a donation to our December appeal, we will be actively fundraising for the sensory garden project via The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge 2020, so it would be wonderful if you could support us then (December 1-8)."

Register for free to join Autism Together's Virtual Concert by visiting: www.autismtogether.co.uk/christmas2020.

For further information about these Christmas events, contact Lisa or Chloe at Autism Together via email: fundraising@autismtogether.co.uk or call 0151 482 3136 or check Facebook @AutismTogetherUK.