Florence to light up Christmas at Three Mile charity switch-on
A teenager who still believes in the magic of Christmas, even as she battles cancer for the second time, has been chosen to light up Gosforth this winter.
On Friday 13 November, Three Mile, at Great North Road, Gosforth, will hold its annual Christmas lights ceremony, heralding an evening of festive, family entertainment to raise funds for charity.
There will be free mulled wine and hot chocolate, stalls, live music and entertainment, along with live animals and a raffle to raise funds for the venue’s nominated charity, Children’s Cancer North.
And 13-year-old Florence Adkin, from Gateshead, has been chosen to flick the switch that will illuminate thousands of lights and the venue’s supersize Christmas reindeer.
The honour comes after a gruelling year for Florence, who is being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for the second time and has another full year of treatment ahead of her.
However, she is determined to carry on as best as she can; attending Gateshead’s Emmanuel College and raising funds for Children’s Cancer North, even completing the Junior Great North Run.
Florence is an amazing girl and she’s particularly delighted to have been chosen to turn on the Three Mile’s Christmas lights because it’s her favourite time of the year.
Like any other child I love the presents at Christmas, but what I love more is the build-up; the Christmas lights and decorations.
Florence Adkin added, "Like any other child I love the presents at Christmas, but what I love more is the build-up; the Christmas lights and decorations.
“I love the dark evenings when we can cosy up and watch Christmas films, all our family traditions and I mustn’t forget eating a chocolate from my advent calendar every morning.”
“I can’t wait to turn on the Three Mile’s Christmas lights,” she said, “because I know the whole evening will be magical – not just for me but for everyone who goes along.”
The two-hour event will begin at 5pm with Florence turning on the lights at 6pm and there will be free mulled wine and hot chocolate offered from arrival.
Local stall holders will be selling their wares and there will be facepainting, an animal workshop with Discovery Zoo, bakes and cakes, crafts and gifts in the lounge.
St Oswalds Catholic Primary School Choir will be singing festive songs from 5.30pm and Children’s Cancer North will be present on the night to explain the work they do and appeal for funds.
A regional charity, its mission is to help make life better for children and young people with cancer across the North East and Cumbria.
Alongside investing in revolutionary research at Newcastle University to develop kinder and more targeted treatments for childhood cancers, the charity supports patients and their families both on and off the hospital wards through a range of financial support grants, funded activities and respite breaks.
There will also be a raffle on the night in support of the charity, which is Three Mile’s nominated charity for 2026 and Three Mile’s soft play centre will be open for pre-schoolers.
It really is a wonderful evening of community spirit and goodwill,” she said, “and Florence – whose courage, kindness and hope shine every bit as brightly as our Christmas lights - will be at the very heart of it.
To find out more about the switch on visit https://threemile.co.uk/christmas/
Image: L-R Florence’s dad Seb, sister Bella, Florence and mum Catherine
