Operation Santa: help Suffolk charities have a happy Christmas

The main aim of the charity is to raise money locally and to give it to Suffolk-based charities.

This they do with an online auction which runs on December 7 and December 8 on Suffolk Sound. 

Don't miss you chance to bid for great prizes at the Operation Santa auction (Image: Supplied)Prizes make great last minute Christmas presents and this year include a garden party worth £3000, a two-day pottery class for two, food vouchers and a tour of Ipswich's theatres, among many other great gifts.

For more information about the items to bid for, visit https://operationsantaappeal.com/auction/

Last year, out of the 15 charities that applied to Operation Santa for grants, 13 of them were fulfilled, with gifts ranging from £333 to £2500.

This year so far, grant applications have exceeded last year so the charity is hoping, with the help of the generous people of Suffolk, to double the funds they raised last year to £30,000.

Ian Fountain, General Manager of Cabs Smart who are one of the main forces behind the appeal said: "Since Cabs Smart has been in business we have always raised and donated money to local charities so we decided in January 2023 to register our own charity "Operation Santa Appeal" and support local Suffolk charities by way of grants each year."

As well as Cabs Smart, the appeal is also backed by Bishop and Miller, Suffolk Sound, the EADT and numerous local businesses who have supplied auction prizes.

The live auction takes place from 9am-12 noon each day with a live feed to the Suffolk Sound Facebook page.

The awards will be presented on February 7, 2025 at Venue 16 with "Benidorm Elvis", a finger buffet and more.

People can get involved either by listening to Suffolk Sound, or through the website www.operationsantaappeal.com.

If anyone wants to hold a charity event to support the appeal, get in touch at enquiries@operationsantaappeal.com

If Suffolk businesses want to donate more prizes, the deadline for donations is November 15.