Festive cheer by the truckload

A TRUCKLOAD of festive cheer is coming to rural Northumberland this Christmas.

However, it won’t be the Coca-Cola truck making the journey from Kielder to Hexham, but a convoy of lorries from the timber trade.

The first ever Christmas Lorry Parade takes place this Friday with the aim of getting North Tyne communities into the festive spirit, as well as raising money for local charities and the Great North Air Ambulance.

Starting off in Kielder, which supplies 25% of England’s timber output, the parade will make its way to Stannersburn, Bellingham and Wark – before reaching its final destination of Hexham – in what organisers hope will become an annual event.

Alex MacLennan of Forestry England said: “The communities in the North Tyne Valley haven’t had much in the way of social gatherings and community events since Covid. This is something festive to get families out.

“There are timber wagons that go about the countryside every day and this is them giving something back.”

And it’s not just about getting families out of their homes. Alex said that there are many who will struggle in the North Tyne Valley over Christmas, with poverty being as much of an issue in rural areas as urban.

Fiona Pattison has set up Santa’s Little Helpers – a charity to help those in poverty in the North Tyne Valley.

With the money raised from the lorry parade, Bellingham-based Fiona hopes to put money towards a Christmas dinner or toys for families in the area who have struggled during the pandemic.