Local traders prepare for "A Very Stokey Christmas" this Sunday

Independent traders in Stoke Newington are pulling out all the stops for A Very Stokey Christmas.

The event takes place on Sunday December 8 (11am till 5pm), with much of the activity centred outside the Fire Station on Church St. There’ll be a snowball competition (with targets to aim at), a Santa’s grotto with lovely gifts and choirs will be singing!

The event will help raise funds for the Winter Toy Appeal (delivering gifts to children experiencing poverty), Solace women’s refuges and Hackney Quest (which helps young people develop skills and reach their potential).

Over 30 local businesses are taking part and there will be plenty of mulled wine and mince pies. Location Location has decorated the large fir tree outside the Fire Station and the Local Buyers Club has organised a Christmas Trail – with clues for shoppers to solve and prizes for the winners (runs from Thurs - Sun, get your entry form here).The fire engine will also be out for local children to sit in.

Heidi Early, of Earlybird Cards, is helping to organise the event. She said: “Getting all the traders together to organise this has been a really lovely process. Lots of businesses are getting involved, many are offering raffle prizes. Life is pretty hard on high streets at the moment and people have been feeling pretty fed up so it’s good to be doing something that brings the community together – this will be a really special festive event.”

It’s hoped locals will see this as a good opportunity to avoid the crowds and support independent businesses this Christmas.

Artist Lydia Thornley has designed the poster for the event and print shop Printist has donated all the posters and banners.

Earlybird is running a competition to design the best Christmas card – the winning design will be printed and sold in the shop next year for charity.

For further details visit the Facebook event page: CLICK HERE

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