Chichester Lions Club
Chichester Lions Club would like to thank the people of Chichester for their support of a 45-year-old tradition of Santa coming to Chichester.
You donated over £2,000 at a time where people are financially stretched and there is a worry for family and friends.
We wanted to ensure we helped raise the morale and wellbeing of the people of Chichester.
Lion president Linda Squires said: “It was not about raising money but giving back and raising wellbeing and happiness in these strange times. The donations were a bonus.”
Chichester Lions Club decided to run the Christmas Santa float in a different way to past years to meet the Covid restrictions. There was no door-to-door collection and Santa stayed on his sleigh.
Organiser Lion Brian Cotton arranged routes where it was possible to keep the vehicle moving to avoid close contact.
Even though the club asked only for online donations and would not be collecting on the routes Chichester residents came out and gave generously.
The collection over ten nights amounted to over £2,000.
One young man was remanded by a relative for donating £5 as he had recently lost his job. He said he had a roof over his head and food, which a lot don’t, so he wanted to do his bit. Many families said how much of a fillip it was to have something to smile about and what it has done to raise their spirits.
One man asked his carers to turn his chair to the window and make sure the curtains were open so he could see Santa as he has done so many times in the past with his children and grandchildren. He recorded it this year for his grandchildren who could not meet with him.
Club members will soon be organising next year’s visit and, with more housing developments being built, it may be that we have to operate in a similar manner – slowly moving with Santa seated, with organised stops en route rather than door-to-door
– so that we can bring this tradition to more residential areas.