The centrepiece of the festivities in The Grafton shopping centre’s Great Court – their splendid ‘Giving Tree’ – has become an established part of festivities in the city in recent years, and one that really sums up the spirit of the season.
At first glance, the Giving Tree may appear like an ordinary, if very large, Christmas tree. But in actual fact, this rather special tree offers anyone visiting The Grafton do make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children in the local community. Shoppers collect tags with a child’s name, sex and age written on them from the tree, and then they can go and choose a gift for the individual, with some of The Grafton stores offering special discounts for shoppers who are buying presents for the tree. The present is then placed in the large donation box and all the presents are sent to participating charities in time for Christmas. Last year more than 6,000 gifts were donated, and this year the Giving Tree – run in association with Heart FM – is supporting ten charities including Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and social services throughout Cambridgeshire.

The Santa Run

It’s Christmas time; there’s no need to be afraid. Unless, that is, you happen to be out and about in the vicinity of The Grafton on Sunday 18 December, when you’re likely to see a whole pack of Father Christmases converging on you at high speed. This is, fortunately, not a mass breakout from some top secret Santa cloning facility, but the fifth annual Santa Run in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. This fun event gives Santas of all ages the chance to run, jog or walk the 1.5k or 2.5k routes around nearby Midsummer Common, wearing the full garb – with your red suit included in the entry fee.

The Santa Run, Sunday 18 December, 10:00. Cost: £10 adults (aged 14 and over), £5 children. www.each.org.uk/santaruns www.graftoncentre.co.uk