MORE than £10,000 has already been raised for two North-East charities through Christmas attractions at intu Metrocentre this winter.

The shopping centre's Arctic Experience in Town Square– which has an indoor synthetic ice rink, ball pool and artificial snow shower– and Santa’s Grotto are supporting Newcastle Gateshead Foodbank and The Percy Hedley Foundation.

Admission to the Arctic Experience is free but a turn on the ice rink costs £2 which will be donated to the foodbank charity to tackle food poverty and hunger by supporting individuals and families in crisis, and the £1 entry fee to Santa’s igloo grotto goes to The Percy Hedley Foundation, which provides specialist and personalised care and education support to disabled people and their families.

Helen Atkinson, marketing manager at intu Metrocentre, said: “We’re renowned for providing free family fun here at intu Metrocentre and delighted that we can continue to do this at Christmas time, especially when there is a lot of extra pressure on parents and carers.

"All money raised from the ice rink and Santa’s Grotto is going to two fantastic local charities who play a vital role in supporting the community throughout the year.

"We’re delighted to have already raised £10,000 to go towards their incredible work and with 12 days to go we expect the figure will only rise.”