The children, aged from four to 16, will be joined by over 50 student volunteers who will be running a variety of games and activities including face-painting, a magic show, disco, a bouncy castle, and their very own Santa’s Grotto. The afternoon will finish with a tea party and a present from Father Christmas for every child.

Many of the children are from volunteering projects that the SCA run throughout the year. Some of the children attending are from lone-parent families or are from underprivileged backgrounds. Others have learning disabilities or are young carers who have more than normal amounts of responsibility at home.

Rachel Miller, Community Engagement Coordinator at the University’s Students’ Union, said: “The volunteers have put an enormous amount of effort into organising this event. What’s especially incredible to see is that although the volunteers are studying for a degree, they have all worked tirelessly to make the party happen and to make it an unforgettable day for all the children, many of whom may not be looking forward to the kind of Christmas most of us took for granted when we were younger.

“It also wouldn’t be possible to run the party without generous donations from organisations such as Rolls Royce, the Co-op and Waitrose, which have helped fund presents, food, activities and transport for the event.”

SCA is the University of Bristol’s student volunteering organisation. It aims to build positive relationships between the student body and the local community as well as meeting a social need.