A much-loved tourist attraction has chosen the Cornish child bereavement support organisation Penhaligon’s Friends as their charity of the year for 2022.

Lappa Valley, near Newquay, has been enjoyed by families for nearly 50 years, transporting visitors by steam train along the former Cornwall Minerals Railway line from Newquay to the old East Wheel Rose mine site where fun, adventure and two further railways are found.

The popular attraction selects a local charity to support annually, and this year Penhaligon’s Friends will benefit from donations from visitors and a proportion of ticket sales from a special opening day that will be held on Saturday, September 24.

The charity has supported thousands of children and their families in Cornwall since it was founded in 1995.

Over past 12 months they have supported 560 bereaved young people across the county and continue to provide training and advice to childcare professionals.

Read Next:

Ben Harding, Operations Manager at Lappa Valley said: "Lappa Valley is a special place where families have and continue to make long lasting memories.

"Therefore, we love supporting local charities that are focussed on supporting children and their families during difficult times.

"Penhaligon’s Friends does just that and we’re pleased to be able to support their vital work across Cornwall."

Julie Parker, CEO of Penhaligon’s Friends said: "We are so delighted to be chosen as Lappa Valley’s charity for 2022.

"The last few years have been a real challenge for our charity, we have had to be creative and adapt our support to continue to be as available as we can be for bereaved children and families through a very difficult time.

"We have not been able to fundraise in our usual ways either so this support will mean a lot to us and enable us to fund resources for bereaved children referred to our service."

Lappa Valley is now open all year round and guests can donate to Penhaligon’s Friends at collection points at the attraction.