Project Santa returns in December, continuing a community tradition that has raised over £1 million for local charities.
Project Santa returns on Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December 2026, bringing another weekend of festive fun, fundraising and community spirit to Specialist HQ.
Since 2017, Project Santa has raised over £1 million for local charities, while creating unforgettable Christmas experiences for thousands of families.
Originally launched as a Christmas celebration for our people and their families, Project Santa quickly grew beyond its original purpose. Then we saw an opportunity to bring the wider community together while supporting local charities, transforming the event into a fundraising initiative that has become one of the company’s most meaningful community commitments.
Each Christmas, Specialist HQ is transformed into a festive wonderland filled with excitement, laughter and memorable moments. Over the years, thousands of visitors have walked through the doors, making Project Santa a cherished tradition for local families.
Specialist covers the cost of delivering the event, which means every ticket purchased, raffle entry and donation goes directly to the chosen charities. That means that every penny our visitors generously donate can go to where it has most impact.
The charities we support each year are personal to our people. Employees are invited to nominate causes that have touched their lives – whether through personal experience, support received by a family member or friend, or a cause they feel strongly about championing.
Those nominations are then put to a company-wide vote, ensuring the final selection reflects the causes closest to the hearts of the Specialist team.
Project Santa is made possible by colleagues from every area of the business. Long before the first family arrives, employees volunteer hundreds of hours to design and build festive attractions, decorate HQ, organise logistics, welcome visitors and bring the magic of Christmas to life.
Every department plays its part. That is what makes Project Santa a true team effort.
Our most recent Project Santa was our most successful to date, welcoming more than 6,000 visitors over the weekend and raising a record-breaking £312,500 for 30 local charities, surpassing the £300,000 fundraising target.
The fundraising total is an incredible achievement, but the impact goes further than money raised.
Project Santa brings communities together. It creates lasting Christmas memories for local families. It supports charities doing vital work every day. And it shows what can happen when employees, customers, suppliers, volunteers and visitors come together behind a shared purpose.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported Project Santa since its launch. Together, we have raised over £1 million for charity, created meaningful moments for thousands of families and shown the difference generosity can make when a community works as one.