It was the trip of a lifetime - Wearside family visiting Newcastle win Christmas trip to Lapland
It was a Christmas to remember for one Wearside family after winning a trip to Lapland to meet Father Christmas.
The family from Sherburn Road in Durham City also got to see Santa’s Christmas Village as well as enjoying a sleigh ride through the woods.
Samantha Pattison had no idea when she took her two sons for a treat to Newcastle that she’d end the day with a prize trip worth around £3000.
Samantha bought a special Christmas mug at the village and was stunned when it contained a gold mark – the indication that she’d scooped the incredible prize.
After flying out of Teesside Airport on Saturday, Samantha and her two sons eight-year-old Carter and Kingston, six, and her mam enjoyed the trip of a lifetime.
She said: “It was absolutely unbelievable. Me and my mam and the boys enjoyed it so much, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
The prize was organised by EVNT Inspirations, who provide many of the attractions at Newcastle Christmas Market along with pop-up alpine bar, Moosenwirt. They teamed up with Sunderland based travel agent, Hays Travel.
Nigel Holliday, co-director of EVNT Inspirations was delighted that the family had made special memories.
He said: “We are very grateful to Hays Travel and to everyone who helped make this such an amazing trip for Sam and her family.
“We know that they’ve had to wait all year for it but it has given them memories which will stay with them forever.”
This year’s Newcastle Christmas Village – organised on behalf of NE1 and Newcastle City Council – has been so successful that it is now being extended.
Pop-up bar Moosenwirt will stay open on New Year’s Eve until past midnight – offering a memorable way to see in the new year.
A new show based around the hit musical Wicked will take place on the Rocking Reindeer stage on 27 and 28 December, with a KPOP Kids’ Party planned on New Year’s Eve from 1pm to 5pm – giving families time to head to the Quayside for the free 6pm fireworks.
Most of the elements which have made the village will continue up until 1 January, including the vintage carousel and the Ferris.
You can find out more and purchase tickets on the Newcastle Christmas Village website.