Santa float a huge success

Date published: 01 February 2012

Father Christmas and his reindeer have been put to rest after a most successful tour of the district.

Julian Roscoe, President of Prestwich & Whitefield Rotary Club said: “We are indeed as usual deeply grateful for the most generous financial help given by you - the public we have raised just over £3,500. It makes all our efforts more worthwhile and thereby enables us to make greater donations when we make our annual contributions to local charities in April.”

Members of both the Hollins Community Centre and the Prestwich Lions Club toured the area with our Father Christmas and are making a donation to our charitable works. The tours provided enjoyment to the children and also many older people living on their own who openly admit to us the joy given in what sometimes is a lonely street. This is very rewarding to us but unfortunately we can only tour certain sections each year because we are a small club.

Mr Roscoe, continued: “Our float for Santa which we had used for many years was crushed accidentally by a farm vehicle in the barn where it was stored.

“It could have been a disaster but for the sharp eyes of a friend who spotted a discarded milk float in Birmingham. He alerted us and in no time at all we had brought it to Bury and were working on it, restoring it for use as a Father Christmas sleigh.

“On the 3rd December Santa sailed forth, Ho! Ho! Ho! in the new float, his sleigh with a reindeer. He was aiming to cover as many streets and supermarkets as he could in the neighbourhoods of Prestwich and Whitefield.

“Santa was greeted everywhere with excitement and exuberance by young and old alike, cameras flashing and frantic waving.

“As President I was impressed by the reception from the community and its generosity. I also wish and commend my fellow Rotarians for their commitment, manning, preparing and driving the float and their work with the collecting boxes. The proceeds will be distributed to mainly local charities and details of this will be reported at a later date.

“I take this opportunity to thank the people of Prestwich and Whitefield who gave so generously and made us so welcome.

“Special thanks go to Mr Bacchi from Salford Van Hire for supplying one of his vans, and to Spectrum of Whitefield for the equipment for our music. Without these generous acts of kindness it would not have been possible to have raised as much as we did.”

In July, the club will start their celebrations for their Golden Jubilee Year - 50 years of giving service to local people and organisations.

Prestwich & Whitefield Rotary Club meet every week at the Welcome Inn on Bury Old Road 6.30pm for 6.45pm - why not come along and join these special celebrations and be part of this wonderful service to the community. Ring James on 0161 766 8000 to get all the news and information.

The President and the members say once again 'Many Thanks' for your most generous donations and Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2012.