A FESTIVE trip of a lifetime is up for grabs for a deserving North East family.

TFM Radio is offering a day trip to Lapland to meet Father Christmas as part of its Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal which aims to help families have a happier Christmas.

The trip is intended to benefit a sick or disabled child, or a disadvantaged family within TFM’s transmission area of North Yorkshire, Tees Valley and the sourthern part of County Durham.

It takes place on December 15 and the winning family (two adults, two children) will fly from Newcastle airport at 7.30am to spend the day in Lapland before returning at 9.30pm.

The winners will be provided with thermal suits and boots, along with free gifts and a souvenir Lapland passport.

A host of activities are on offer including a snowmobile trip, husky sled journey, a reindeer sleigh ride, tobogganing, a search for Santa and a private meeting with the man himself.

The trip has been donated by Co-op Travel and Deniece Wanley (BOTH CRCT), charity Manager at Cash for Kids said: “This year, with the economic downturn, more families than ever before across the North-East have experienced financial hardship.

“Cash for Kids and the Co-op would like to fulfil some real Christmas wishes by keeping the magic of Christmas alive for one family, with a pre Christmas trip of a lifetime to Lapland.

“Christmas Wishes is part of our annual Christmas toy appeal - Mission Christmas, which has been running for 16 years now.

“This year, our Mission is simple; a Happy Christmas for every child. “ Cash for Kids will help transport the family from their home to Newcastle airport and back again, but participants must organise their own travel insurance and have a valid UK passport  (recommended 6 month validity on return).

No cash alternative or alternative dates can be offered.

Families have until midnight this Saturday (December 1) to enter and the winners will be notified by Monday December 3.

There are two trips up for grabs and to enter, complete the registration form at www.tfmradio.com/missionchristmas or www.metroradio.co.uk/missionchristmas