A certain red-clad man with a white beard and a jolly laugh will be touring parts of Salford in a specially-made sledge from tonight to spread a little Christmas cheer.
Worsley Rotary Club will be taking their Santa Sledge to the streets of Worsley, Walkden, Little Hulton, Ellenbrook and Boothstown, starting tonight, Wednesday 2 December at 6.30pm and running until 23 December.
The sledge comes complete with realistic-looking reindeer and is crammed with lights and jingles to make it extra special for passersby.
Day nurseries along the route will get visits from Santa, and just announced for Thursday evening is a special drop-in to the home of a terminally-ill five-year-old girl called Lexi Chester, who lives in Walkden.
Over 150 streets across the 14 days will see the Santa Sledge passing by – you can see all the routes and maps here.
Wednesday 2 December: Wardley; Thursday 3 December: Walkden North; Friday 4 December: Whittle Street; Monday 7 December: Worsley Centre; Tuesday 8 December: Standfield & Ellenbrook; Wednesday 9 December: Barons Fold & Amblecote, Little Hulton; Thursday 10 December: Ringlow Park & Broadoak, Swinton; Friday 11 December: Moorside South; Monday 14 December: Worsley South; Tuesday 15 December: Boothstown; Wednesday 16 December: Ellenbrook North; Thursday 17 December: Kenyon Way, Little Hulton; Tuesday 22 December: Roe Green; Wednesday 23 December: Westwood Estate, Winton.
They will also be at Tesco Walkden on 12 and 13 December and Tesco Farnworth on 22 and 23 December.
The Santa Sledge is a 35-year-old tradition bringing festive fun to people young and old as well as raising money for deserving causes.
Last year over £7,000 was raised from donations along the routes, all of which goes towards helping local businesses and community groups in the local area.
We spoke to Tony Jackson, Worsley Rotary Club’s Chairman, who told us: “We are all really looking forward to this event and we intend to raise even more money than last year.
“We have a dedicated team of helpers from local groups each night, rattling their buckets to raise much-needed cash.
“The money we raise will go towards our Dragons Den fund which starts in April 2016 when we help small, local business get started and get communities to network together.
“We shall be starting out a bit earlier on some evenings as we intend to visit several day nurseries on the route.
“The only thing that will stop us is torrential rain which we are hoping doesn’t happen although a downfall of snow would add to the occasion!”
