Nearly 400 disadvantaged and disabled children from across the region attended the annual Variety, the Children’s Charity, Yorkshire Christmas parties held on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 December at Pudsey Civic Hall and the Bradford Bulls stadium.

As well as tucking into a festive lunch and enjoying lots of entertainment including a magic show, balloon modelling and face painting, Father Christmas dropped in with a sack full of presents.

The Christmas parties are part of the charity’s Variety at Work (VAW) activity which takes place throughout the year and aims to provide children with days out to remember and experiences to cherish.

Ian Leach, chairman of the Yorkshire committee of Variety, said:

“We are grateful to everyone who helped us to make this year’s parties such a special one for youngsters who really do deserve a treat.”

Charlotte Farrington, a member of the Variety, Yorkshire committee and lead organiser of the VAW activity in the region, added:

“We would like to say a special thanks to the pupils and parents of QEGS School in Wakefield, who raised £2000 for the Christmas parties and also supplied selection boxes and presents for the children to take home with them”