The company that runs leading North Yorkshire attractions The York Dungeon and Scarborough Sea Life Centre has announced a £300,000 boost for underprivileged children.
Merlin Entertainment has set up its Magic Wand charity, which has an initial fund of £100,000 in cash plus £200,000 worth of free tickets for seriously ill, disabled or disadvantaged children and their carers.
The Merlin Group is the world's secon
d biggest attractions operator with more than 50 sites in Europe, Asia and the United States and already supports charity and community activities with £2.5m per annum.
Scarborough Sea Life boss Tamsin Mutton-McKnight said: "The greatest reward for those of us who work in the attractions is the joy on the faces of happy visitors, especially our younger visitors.
"We can't wait to help get even more children smiling in the future, especially those whose lives are much less fortunate than most."
Chief executive Nick Varney said yesterday: "We operate in 12 countries across three continents and last year we welcomed 32m guests to our 52 attractions.
"Merlin's Magic Wand will help make it possible for a great many children, who wouldn't otherwise be able to, to come to those attractions and enjoy some magical memorable experiences."
Merlin's Magic Wand has been established as a UK charitable trust and is in the process of being registered with the Charities Commission. All of the attractions will help through their own fundraising activities and donations are also expected from benefactors including some of Merlin's major suppliers.
Other Merlin Group attractions include Legoland, Madame Tussauds, the London Eye, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures.
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