A CHARITY is hoping its latest Christmas fundraising initiative will bring a touch of festive magic this year.

Herriot Hospice Homecare is offering parents the chance for their children to receive a personalised letter, either hand-written or typed, from Santa Claus. The letters are sent in a special brown envelope, including a postage stamp from the North Pole.

In return, the charity is asking for a recommended donation of £5.

Assistant fundraiser Paula Moore said: “No two letters will be the same and we think this will be a great way for parents to surprise their children in the run up to Christmas.”

“One hundred per cent of the money donated will go to Herriot Hospice Homecare, so by ordering a letter people will also be contributing to the work we do to support people, and their families, with life limiting illnesses.”

An application form can be downloaded from the charity’s website at; herriothh.org.uk/event/133 and posted to the charity’s head office at 18 Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton, DL6 2NK before December 16.

Those taking part will receive a website link to make their donation or a cheque can be made payable to Herriot Hospice Homecare.

The charity operates across Hambleton and Richmondshire providing “hospice without walls” care in patients’ own homes.