Santa gets in gear for charity tour
FATHER Christmas is gearing up for his busiest time of year by touring Stockport.
Santa will spend the next month travelling around the town on his sleigh, courtesy of The Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter.
His journey begins at the Heatons Christmas Festival on Shaw Road this Saturday, from 4pm to 8pm, where he will be waiting to meet children, talk about their Christmas lists and also give them presents in his beautifully decorated grotto.
Over the coming weeks, until Christmas Eve, Santa will then be travelling around various venues to meet children, including Morrisons Bredbury, Tesco in Burnage and East Didsbury, and Toys R Us and at the bottom of Bridge Street in the town centre.
Eagle-eyed Father Christmas fans will also be able to spot him as he travels around the Heatons every night throughout the month of December, playing Christmas music.
Each year lamplighter collect at these venues in order to be able to help organisations and individuals which need their support.
Last year they collected a staggering £10,523 – the highest amount since the float first began thirty two years ago.
Carol Cross from the club said: “Club members are delighted with the support they receive from the people of Stockport each year which makes their being out in all weathers worthwhile.”
During the last three years a total of £28,000 has been donated by local people and together with other fundraising efforts such as the open gardens, scarecrow hunt and swimathon, has helped improve the lives of many people both locally and internationally.
Charities which benefit from the Lamplighter’s fundraising include Stepping Hill urology department, Westmorland School in Brinnington, Stockport Signpost for Young Carers, the Alex Hulme Foundation, St John Ambulance defibrillator fund, Childrens Heart Association, CLIC Sergeant, the Blood Bikes, which deliver blood, breast milk and plasma to local hospitals free of charge, the Princes Trust and Walthew House.
For more information about Lamplighter see rotary-ribi.org.