This Wednesday 9th November will see one of Cheshire’s most spectacular light displays as McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks invites a local family from Claire House Children’s Hospice to flick the switch on Europe’s largest walk in Christmas tree.
In collaboration with local charity, Claire House Children’s Hospice, the designer outlet is set to give the McIntyre family from Anfield a VIP experience day at the centre. 6 year old Charlie McIntyre was diagnosed with Lissencephaly (a rare brain formation disorder) at the age of 4 months old and now requires 24 hour care. Since then, Charlie and his family have been receiving a helping hand from local children hospice, Claire House.
Charlie’s mum, Shirley McIntyre, comments: “Claire House provide amazing, around the clock care and give families a break when most needed. Charlie is comfortable there and well looked after; the staff are so good with him. The whole ethos of Claire House is to help create precious memories for the families that use the hospice and its services, and this partnership is doing just that.”
On Wednesday 9th November, Charlie and his family will enjoy a fun filled day at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks with dinner at Giraffe, an exclusive trip to Charlie’s favourite store, Build A Bear, a meet with Santa in his grotto and gifts to take home; all finished with Charlie pushing the button to turn on the lights to the outlet’s 100 ft Christmas tree.
Shirley McIntyre, continues: “It’s going to be lovely from start to finish. We don’t get time to do much like this as a family, so it’s going to be such a treat. Charlie loves anything sensory so being able to touch the soft toys in Build a Bear and see the lights twinkle on the tree will really make his year.”
Kenny Murray, Centre Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, says: “We are delighted to welcome Charlie and his family to switch on the lights this year. Charlie and his family, like many other families at the hospice fully deserve of a day like this to be completely spoilt and spend time with loved ones, and we’re very happy to provide that opportunity. With over £40,000 raised for a variety of charities over the years, we are proud to be partnering with Claire House Children’s Hospice for 2016 and hope to help them raise a significant amount for their incredible cause.”
CHRISTMAS TREE
This year, Europe’s largest walk-in artificial tree stands as tall as 7 buses and will be brought to life with over 100,000 decorations, 1,000 of which are football size red baubles. Inside the tree you’ll be able to marvel at the thousands of twinkling lights, as the interior is brought to life with over five miles of illuminations!
The centre will play host to exciting entertainment from 6:00pm with PopVox Choir (as seen on the One Show) and walk-about Christmas characters; plus Santa and his Elves will be handing out festive treats to shoppers before turning the lights on to the main Christmas Tree at 7:30pm.
The tree will be staffed by volunteers from local charity Claire House Children’s Hospice, who provide care to children with life threatening illnesses, and though entrance is free, a recommended donation of £1 is suggested to help support their fantastic work.
CHRISTMAS CORNER
The centre’s Christmas Corner has also returned for 2016, bigger and better than ever. The Après themed bar is decked and decorated in traditional style and accessible via the magical archways at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks. The Christmas Corner also hosts a carousel, a German bar selling beers & gluhwein, festive swing grill, hot chocolate, crepes, pick & mix and much more.
