PRESS RELEASE

Award- winning ferry operator DFDS held an exclusive 'Sail with Santa' event for local families on Wednesday 4 December as part of Cash for Kids' Mission Christmas charity appeal.

The event took place on the DFDS ship King Seaways at the Port of Tyne and saw over 200 children and their families attend a specially arranged Christmas party. Activities on-board included Christmas entertainment, face-painting and a festive meal prepared by the chefs . Children also got the opportunity to meet the Captain, several Disney Princesses, Captain America and the main man himself, Santa Claus.

Guests were invited to the event by Cash for Kids, a children's charity with regional bases across the UK, established to improve opportunities and provide life-changing experiences for young people across the UK. Sail with Santa offered hundreds of local children from disadvantaged backgrounds or with life-limiting illnesses the chance to enjoy some festive fun.

Lucy Chambers, Brand & Content Specialist at DFDS said: "We were delighted to partner with Cash for Kids and Metro Radio for our Sail with Santa event. It spread plenty of Christmas cheer and provided a fun day out for local children and their families.

"We're incredibly proud to be involved in this year's Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal and to have the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children in our region."

The day came to a close with a special performance of ‘Let it Go’ by the Princesses, complete with snow! Every child left the ship with a gift from Santa, a special passport full of Princess autographs and magical memories of a festive party with a difference.

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About DFDS: DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe. In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named the 'World's Leading Ferry Operator' for the last 9 years (2011-2019) as well as 'Europe's Leading Ferry Operator' (2012-19).

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, click here.

About Cash for Kids: Based around 22 areas in the UK and working closely with regional radio stations, Cash for Kids helps disadvantaged children live life to the full. They organise campaigns throughout the year, including Christmas gift drops this festive season where the public can get involved.

Cash for Kids is a charity that responds to the needs of children throughout the UK, so they can live life to the full and realise their individual potential. Based across 22 areas in the UK, including Newcastle, Cash for Kids supports children aged 0-18 who are disabled, disadvantaged or suffering from abuse or neglect.

Cash for Kids Mission Christmas campaign continues Metro Radio and the public can get involved by donating gifts and entering competitions via the radio station. Find out more about the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal here: https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/charity/events/mission-christmas-north-east/