IRN BRU Carnival gives away 1,000 Opening Day tickets to local charities

Europe's biggest indoor Christmas Carnival has pledged doubled the number of tickets originally set out in plans.

Article Source: IRN-BRU Carnival
Last Updated: 21 November 2023 11:30

The IRN-BRU Carnival at SEC, Glasgow has announced it is pledging 1,000 tickets to 70 local charities for its opening day on 22nd December 2023, doubling its original target of giving away 500 tickets.

Having called out to local charity groups and organisations in September looking to donate 500 tickets to various groups, organisers were overwhelmed by the amazing work detailed in the applications from local Glasgow charities and organisations and chose to add extra tickets on to their give away.

Those benefiting from the free tickets include Cosgrove Care which provides person centred care for those with additional needs in the West of Scotland, SWAN UK which offers support to families of children and young adults affected by syndromes which are so rare they do not have a name, and Calums Cabin giving children facing cancer and their families a holiday home for a chance to make memories together which will last lifetime.

In addition, volunteers from the event’s charity partner Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity will be at the IRN-BRU Carnival throughout the run raising money to be split between the charity’s various projects, including Ronald McDonald House Charity which will also be supplying volunteers with buckets to help raise funds.

The lucky winners will have the chance to be some of the first to have the ride of their life on The Extreme Ice Blast, a new to IRN-BRU Carnival outdoor thrill ride at the Carnival now in its 104th year, not to mention 65+ rides and attractions, and much more.

Margaret Cowan, IRN-BRU Carnival Group Operations Manager said: “Every year we invite numerous charities to apply for free tickets, and once again the applications we received were from outstanding organisations which do amazing work for people across Glasgow and Scotland. We were blown away by the generosity of spirit and time which these groups provide to those accessing them, so decided to double the number of free tickets from 500 as we wanted as many of our applicants to enjoy a festive night out with us at IRN-BRU Carinal as possible.

“We look forward to seeing the happy faces of each and every person who will get a free ticket to our opening night, they deserve it more than anything”

Louise Fish, CEO of Genetic Alliance UK which runs SWAN UK, thanked organisers saying: “SWAN UK is the only dedicated support network for families who have a child with a genetic condition so rare it cannot be diagnosed. Many parents and guardians of undiagnosed children are also their child’s full-time carer, and an opportunity to attend a fun whole-family event like The IRN-BRU Carnival is rare. We send a huge thank you to organisers for making it possible for three SWAN UK families in Scotland to attend this Christmas.”

A spokesperson from Calums Cabin also wrote in to pass on their appreciation to the IRN-BRU Carnival. They said: “Wow thank you so much! We are truly grateful. These tickets will hopefully let 2 families affected by childhood cancer make some lovely memories, when they need it the most. We can’t thank you enough!”

These free tickets are just another move by The IRN-BRU Carnival in their commitment to being inclusive. This year the Carnival’s Autism Friendly Sessions are back to allow those with autism or sensory processing difficulties a chance to enjoy the rides in an environment with reduced sound and light, and with smaller crowds and queues.

During the Autism Friendly sessions, the main hall lights will be on, music will be turned off or very low, and the rides will be slower where possible (although the ride lights will still be on).

Quiet areas will be open throughout the full Carnival run for anyone who needs them.

The IRN-BRU Carnival kicks off on Friday 22 December 2023 (closed Christmas Day) and will be open until Sunday 14 January 2024. Standard entry tickets are available from £18.50 with discounts available for groups, concessions and Young Scot card holders, and kids under three go free. Tickets are available online now at www.irn-bru-carnival.com

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