Mick and Norma Gale have officially opened their back garden, better known as Santa’s Garden, to the public – all in support of raising money for Midlands Air Ambulance.
Crowds gathered outside the home in Rushwick on opening night on Saturday and were in awe, with Mr Gale dressing up as Father Christmas and giving out presents.
Every year, Mr and Mrs Gale accept donations from visitors for charity, with the Midlands Air Ambulance being their charity of choice for almost two decades.
Santa’s Garden 2025 opens in Rushwick. Norma Gale, Dianne Thomson, and Mick Gale. (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
Mr Gale revealed that next year will be the last time the couple set up the display, and said: “We think the air ambulance is the service that needs the funds. With the weather this year, it took us roughly about three weeks to set it all up. It just depends on the weather.
“It’s fantastic to see the joy on children’s faces as they walk into the garden each year. We’ve got four generations coming in with their children now, it’s amazing. We get fantastic support from the air ambulance as well. Tonight the critical care team might be here, we don’t know yet.
Darcie O’Donnell, Sebastian O’Donnell, and Maisie O’Donnell. (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
“The electricity to run the displays is about £3 a night, we got a smart meter and worked it all out. It’s nothing really because it’s all LEDs nowadays. Years ago, when we first started, everything was bulbs, and if a bulb went it was a nightmare. We are running until December 28, 5.30pm till 9pm, right the way through.”
Last year the garden, which is located at 66 Christine Avenue, raised more than £2,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance.
Santa’s Garden raises money for the Midlands Air Ambulance. Last year the garden raised more than £2,000 for the charity. (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
Sebastian O’Donnell, who visited Santa’s Garden with his daughters, Maisie and Darcie, said: “We come here every year, but it’s our first time in the back garden. We support the charity, and I used to do bike nights to support the air ambulance. It’s just breath-taking and magical, isn’t it? The time, effort, and love they have put into it to bring the community together is amazing.”
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