Christmas is the season of goodwill which has shone through intu Metrocentre's generous customers this month.
The popular Gateshead shopping centre launched Christmas activity including a brand-new Arctic Experience and Santa's Grotto.
They have now raised over £10,000 for two North East charities, Newcastle Gateshead Foodbank and The Percy Hedley Foundation.
Located in Town Square, this year's Arctic Experience has already proved hugely popular.
With an indoor synthetic ice rink, snowy ball pool and artificial snow shower entertaining festive shoppers plus a magical Santa’s Grotto located inside an icy igloo, it is proving a big hit with little ones.
While entry to the Arctic Experience is free, in order to help those in need in their community the centre placed a small charge on several activities for money to be donated for good causes.
A spin on the ice rink costs £2 which will be donated to Newcastle and Gateshead Foodbank who are dedicated to tackling food poverty and hunger in the local area, supporting individuals and families in crisis.
Jackie Beeley, project manager at the foodbank, said: "The support intu and its customers have provided in both raising awareness and also money has been amazing. The money will be used to purchase items of food that we are short of as well as much-needed toiletries.
"We would also like to purchase more trays to store food in to help with the smooth running of the warehouse so hopefully the donation will help with this."
Entry to visit Santa in his Grotto costs £1 with all proceeds going to the Percy Hedley Foundation, which provides specialist and personalised care and education support to disabled people.
Suzanne McKenna, head of fundraising at the foundation, said: “We are so grateful to everyone at intu Metrocentre for making Christmas so special for our students at Percy Hedley.
"Not only are we receiving donations from everyone who visits Santa’s Grotto, but the centre has been extremely supportive in ensuring children with autism and other disabilities are able to take part in the festive activities they have there.”
For further information on how you can help people in need at the Metrocentre visit: intu.co.uk/metrocentre.
