The Work of Father Christmas
Imagine a charity that did the work of Father Christmas...
This was the dream that inspired LaplandUK founders, Mike and Alison Battle, to establish the Lapland Foundation in October 2024 with the simple ambition to do the work of Father Christmas by bringing joy and hope to young children facing challenges at Christmastime.
Sadly, thousands of children have their childhoods interrupted and question their belief, not only in Father Christmas but in life itself, challenged by illness, disability, isolation, bereavement or financial and domestic hardship.
Restoring childhood wonder & belief
It is here where the Lapland Foundation is committed to helping, because we believe every child is important, and every childhood deserves to be honoured and nurtured no matter what circumstance children find themselves in.
In creating the world of Lapland, Mike and Alison have witnessed firsthand the unique and powerful restorative influence of Father Christmas. The Lapland Foundation goal is to bring this gentle benevolent energy to reignite childhood wonder and belief in the world and their future in it.
Bringing the magic of Christmas
Currently in the UK thousands of children face Christmas in the care of a UK hospital or hospice with many of them worrying, despite their challenges, that Christmas will pass them by in some way. Many believe that Father Christmas will not know where to find them to deliver presents if they are not at home. Lapland Foundation aims to remove those fears and spread Christmas joy to those who have had their childhoods interrupted. This can take many forms, from delivering a beautifully packed stocking from Father Christmas to a young person’s bed or bringing the spirit of Father Christmas to their hospital, hospice or home.
Father Christmas would never forget a child at Christmastime, so nor must Lapland Foundation!
What we do...
Our purpose is to honour childhood by providing relief, joy, and festive cheer to children in need, particularly those facing ill-health, disability, financial hardship, bereavement or other challenges/life interruptions. We are committed to preserving the wonder of childhood by reminding children that Father Christmas has not forgotten them at Christmas. Through our efforts, we aim to uplift children in difficult circumstances and celebrate the magic of childhood, especially during the Christmas season.
The annual Lapland Foundation Christmas Stocking campaign is a key focus of our work, but it will certainly not be our only initiative.
We also spread Christmas joy to young children facing difficult times in a variety of other ways including through grant making to charitable organisations.
The Lapland Foundation operates completely separately from LaplandUK’s commercial activities so Lapland Foundation is not involved in gifting tickets for LaplandUK.
Activities
The generous support received helped the Lapland Foundation do the work of Father Christmas and bring relief, joy, comfort, and magic to children and families facing hardship at Christmastime.
Thanks to the kindness of donors, the invaluable contributions from our suppliers, and the profits raised through our nominated Christmas book, the Lapland Foundation was able to distribute thousands of stockings filled with beautiful gifts; support hospices and hospitals; partner with community foundations to reach local charities; and fund dozens of Christmas parties for children facing challenges and their families.
Together, these combined efforts touched the lives of thousands of children, creating moments of wonder, reassurance, and belonging during what can be an incredibly difficult time of year.
Charity Feedback
Being able to give these beautiful, thoughtfully filled stockings to our families over Christmas brought so much happiness and warmth. Seeing the smiles, laughter, and sheer delight on the faces of parents and children alike as they received their gifts was a truly unforgettable experience. These stockings didn’t just bring presents—they brought joy, comfort, and a sense of magic to so many homes, and we feel deeply privileged to have been part of this wonderful act of kindness. We are sincerely grateful to The Lapland Foundation for making such a meaningful difference to our families’ Christmases.
Home-Start Warrington and Cheshire
Thank you so much to everyone at Lapland UK for the incredibly thoughtful stockings this year. They were so gratefully received by the children and families we support, and they truly helped to make our festive celebrations extra special. The care and attention that goes into each stocking is clear, and it brought a real sense of magic and joy to what can be a very emotional time of year for many families. We’re incredibly grateful for your continued kindness and for including us in this wonderful initiative.
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices
We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of Lapland UK stockings for the children supported by ellenor. For many of the young people in our care, the festive season can be a challenging time, with hospital appointments, treatment, and complex health needs often taking centre stage. These beautiful stockings brought an extra touch of magic, excitement, and joy to families who truly needed it. Seeing the children’s faces light up, and witnessing the shared moments of wonder within their families, reminded us just how powerful simple acts of kindness can be. Your generosity helped create precious memories and offered families a moment of warmth and togetherness during a difficult time.
Ellenor Hospice
Listening Ear would like to thank Lapland UK for giving us some beautiful Christmas Stockings which were given to some of the young children we support. Those children are supported by us through bereavement, Domestic Abuse and Loss. The stockings gave those children joy and something to hold on to during the most difficult of times.
Listening Ear
On behalf of everyone at Francis House Children’s Hospice, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Lapland UK for the beautiful stockings you sent for our children and their siblings. They were so thoughtfully made and brought a huge amount of joy at a very special time. Seeing the children’s faces light up, and knowing their brothers and sisters felt included too, meant a great deal to our families and staff. We are truly grateful for your kindness and generosity.
Francis House Childrens Hospice
We would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you for your support and for the wonderful gift of Christmas stockings for the children and young people who come to Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice. Your kindness brought joy, comfort, and festive magic to so many families during this special time of year.
Helen & Douglas House
For many of the children we support, Christmas can be a difficult and emotional time. Thanks to Lapland UK’s kindness, Christmas Day became one of joy, excitement, and wide‑eyed wonder. The children were absolutely in awe of their gifts; the husky dogs were hugged, the books opened, and the stockings treasured as something truly special. Your generosity didn’t just provide presents — it created moments of happiness, comfort, and childhood magic at a time when they were needed most. From all of us at Safenet, thank you for helping us make Christmas brighter for the families we support.
Safenet Domestic Abuse Services
