The founder of a Yorkshire-based business has started a Santa Van initiative for those who cannot leave their homes and see Santa this festive season.

Beverley Maw started Beverley Maw Occupational Therapy (BMOT) this April after 23 years in the NHS, and just three weeks after starting up the business created the BMOT foundation to continue a lifetime of giving back to the community.

Ms Maw said in regards to starting up the foundation: “I’ve done lots of charity work in the past, I’ve created charity evenings and always liked things like that.

“I almost felt guilty for not working in the NHS anymore, so I just wanted to give something back.”

BMOT has a variety of patients and clients ranging from those with speech and language difficulties to children who are in palliative care.

The BMOT Foundation’s Christmas initiative has seen Ms Maw turn her own Campervan into a mobile Santa’s grotto to spread the festive cheer.

The Santavan ready to spread festive cheer

The Santavan will be making its maiden voyage today and a scheme that was initially just meant to spread the fun and festive joy across Yorkshire, has now expanded all the way up to South Shields.

Ms Maw has said the initiative is just about “having some fun, and making people smile,” but there is a greater impact behind the initiative.

Stacey Gorton, a support worker whose workplace is due to receive a visit from the Santavan this weekend, said: “It will give our individuals enjoyment seeing the Santavan as we can’t always find somewhere to take all of our individuals as a group to see Santa as we work with autism and challenging behaviour”.

“The impact this will have will be a massive achievement to our service and our individuals as a group and seeing their joy makes it all worth while.”

As a part of the service, the Santavan will be providing gifts to the people it visits. And the making of these gifts has been a real family affair.

Ms Maw’s mother, who is 81 and recently took up knitting as part of her rehab after breaking her shoulder last year, has been knitting therapy BMOT bears as presents to help those who suffer from anxiety.

Sadly, while the initiative has received a lot of requests and applications, there have been insufficient donations so far, resulting in Ms Maw having to fund much of the project out of her own pocket.

If people wish to donate then they can visit the link: Meet Santa! – Beverley Maw Occupational Therapy