A CHRISTMAS event for the whole family will raise money for parents who sometimes struggle with bringing up their children.

The farmers' market and craft fair will take place at Teesside Caravans in Thornaby, near Stockton, on Saturday, December 16.

Proceeds from a raffle, Santa's grotto donations and a percentage of the stall fees will go to Home Start Teesside.

The charity offers support to parents living in the Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland areas with at least one child under five, who are dealing with issues such as isolation and loneliness, sickness, disability, mental health, domestic abuse and multiple births.

Organisers of the Christmas event – indoors at the caravan company's site in Fleck Way – are promising some of the finest food and drink the area has to offer.

It will offer free car parking and admission to the public, an onsite cafe with tea, coffee, cake and sandwiches, the Santa's grotto, toilets and baby-changing facilities, a choir and music, and what organisers says is a "unique shopping and Christmas experience".

There will be more than 90 stands offering preserves, cakes, popcorn, sweets, gin, vodka, flavoured teas, paper crafts, cards, gift sets, perfume sets, handmade gifts, upcycled and recycled gifts, individual jewellery, knitted wares, home decor, candles, decorations, dog treats and clothing, woodcraft and artisan teddy bears.