Surrey family receive a Doorstep Santa visit

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Visiting Santa at his grotto is not possible for many families supported by Momentum, due to the severity of children’s illnesses and side effects from treatment many of them are experiencing. The Doorstep Santa initiative means unwell children don’t miss out – it also offers comfort to bereaved families preparing for Christmas without a child.

Santa visited families in style, rolling up in a Triumph Stag sports car, battling the rain with the roof down! As the day went on, Santa swapped the Stag for a roaring Harley-Davidson and he wasn’t travelling solo, one of his elves rode alongside him on a Ducati decorated in lights and festive tinsel.

Each family received a thoughtfully curated bundle of gifts, which included something to enjoy together and special surprises for every child. The children unwrapped everything from LEGO sets, puzzles and sensory toys to arts-and-crafts kits, dressing-up costumes, books and gift vouchers. Families were also treated to a festive gingerbread house kit, a classic board game to play together, a chocolate selection pack, and a beautifully hand-knitted bauble

Emily Youngman, 4, was diagnosed with high-risk stage 4 neuroblastoma last summer and is receiving treatment at Epsom Hospital. Emily and her family, from Epsom, Surrey, received a visit from Santa at the weekend.

Amy Youngman, Emily’s mum said: “Momentum Children’s Charity has been part of our lives since the day of my daughter’s diagnosis and their kindness over the past 18 months, some of the toughest times we have ever faced, has been immeasurable. Having Father Christmas and his elves arrive to see our children brought such joy and made their Christmas feel truly special. They also visited last year when Emily was going through an incredibly challenging stage of her treatment, so seeing her this weekend, more mobile and much happier, was a magical moment we will never forget. We are grateful for everything Momentum continues to do for our family.”

Sarah Woods, CEO at Momentum Children’s Charity said: “For many families we support, visiting Santa’s grotto simply isn’t possible – it could be a child who is immunocompromised and can’t risk crowded public places, or a family facing Christmas after the death of their child. Our Doorstep Santa initiative means Santa always finds a way to meet these children, bringing the magic of Christmas directly to their homes.”

Sarah Woods continued: “The demand for our help is rising fast, and we’re determined to stand beside every family who is referred to us. As a charity with no statutory funding, we depend completely on other people’s generosity. With Christmas only two weeks away, we’re urging anyone who can, to support Momentum. Every donation made this December will deliver hope when it’s needed most and fuel vital support for families all year long.”

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across Surrey, London and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. The charity partners with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through our family support workers, both in hospital and at home.

Help Momentum Children’s Charity change a child’s life this Christmas by making a donation on their website www.momentumcharity.org

Notes to Editors:

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. We partner with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through our family support workers, both in hospital and at home. Our services include counselling, creative therapies, special experiences, and respite breaks. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, we offer specialist bereavement support. The charity receives no government funding and is reliant entirely on voluntary support. 

Founded in 2004, Momentum Children’s Charity was started when Bianca Effemey OBE was working as a receptionist on the Paediatrics Ward at Kingston Hospital. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful, and she became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients. It became her mission to get white goods donated to the hospital which could be kept full of refreshments, providing some relief to children suffering with mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy. Momentum has grown from a very small charity to now supporting over 2,500 individuals across 688 families in 2024/25. This includes 502 families with children in active treatment and 186 bereaved families.

If you are interested in learning more about the work Momentum does, seeing the roles they are currently recruiting for or would like to get involved by attending an event, volunteering or making a donation please visit www.momentumcharity.org

www.momentumcharity.org Registered charity number: 1195373

For more information about Momentum and future press opportunities, please contact:  Claire Smith, PR and Communications Officer: clairesmith@momentumcharity.org  /  0208 974 5931