Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Help Santa in our area
Santa will be starting his highlyanticipated annual festive travels around Monklands next Thursday, December 1.
Members of Airdrie & Coatbridge Round Table will be touring the two towns on nine dates in the run-up to Christmas, spreading the magic while raising funds for their work in the community.
The muc h - l ov e d sleigh tour kicks off in the Glenmavis area next Thursday evening, December 1; and will cover hundreds of miles across Monklands as well as including Sunday afternoon “static stops” so that as many delighted youngsters and adults alike can see Santa and enjoy the fun.
Round Table chairman Tony Murphy said: “With only a few more sleeps until Christmas, that must mean Santa is getting close to visiting as many streets as possible to meet the many families that wait patiently for his colourful sleigh to arrive!
“The children and adults all set the Christmas scene for us – they’re excited and wrapped up with gloves, scarves and Santa hats, and hand over their Christmas cards and lists to Santa.”
He added: “This is my sixth year being one of Santa’s Elves and every year it becomes just that little more magical. Two of our members have been travelling with Santa around Airdrie and Coatbridge for nearly 30 years, and hope this great Monklands magical tradition never stops.”
Preparations for the annual sleigh tour have been underway for nearly two months already, and Table member Gordon Millar said: “It’s a fairly complex but very enjoyable project. Streets are assessed for suitability and safety to ensure there are enough members to assist Santa and enough donation collectors.”
The Round Table’s 11 members are each volunteering on every date of the sleigh tour, and will be joined by helpers from community groups including Monklands women’s aid, the area’s Community First Responder group and the Airdrie-based Taylor Panton Trust.
The Round Table Santa sleigh route for 2016 is –
December 1: Glenmavis; December 4: Tesco Coatbridge ( 3.15pm3.45pm), Parklands Estate, Glenboig, Drumpellier L awns ; December 6: Caldervale High area; December 8: Old Monkland, Kirkshaws; December 11: Airdrie top cross ( Greggs / Esso petrol station area, 3.15pm-3.45pm), Rushes Estate, near St Joseph’s cemetery, Ferguson Way, estates near Boots factory and Clarkston Primary; December 13: Victoria Park and Bishopburn Drive areas, Strawberry Fields; December 15: Carnbroe; December 18: Tesco Airdrie (3.15pm-3.45pm), Ayr Drive, Monklands estate, Chapel hall; December 20: Cairnhill.
Organisers still have further slots available for volunteers Call 07789 540609 to volunteer.