Santa Claus looks set to be making one final stop on Christmas Day by delivering some festive cheer with a hike up a popular Lakeland fell.
“I believe no one should ever be alone on Christmas Day,” says Jay Mistray, who is organising a walk up Latrigg, near Keswick, for anybody who would like to join him.
The plan is to meet at Keswick’s Moot Hall at 10am and then walk along the old railway line before going up and over Latrigg and then returning back into town.
Jay, who will be dressed as Santa, said the weather conditions look set to be sunny, but he is advising everybody to come prepared.
“Everyone is welcome along, even dogs and well behaved humans,” said Jay, who lives in Huddersfield, but enjoys spending a short Christmas break in the Lakes.
To date, Jay said he was expecting about 20 people to join it at the moment, including a few local people, too.
He said a few years ago, he was on his own and had no plans for Christmas so came up with the idea of doing a hike up Scafell Pike and inviting others to join him.
Jay said: “It went really well, then we had a gap year due to the pandemic and in 2021 I decided to do it again, but pick an easier hike.”
Last year, Catbells was the destination and people travelled from all over the UK to join him. It made for an incredible day, so it was decided to do another walk this year.
“I picked Latrigg as it’s another easy fell that allows more people to join in the hike. From the feedback from the people that are coming it is going to be another amazing Christmas Day hike,” said Jay.
He added that even people who aren’t lonely at Christmas, like couples on holiday, were also set to be doing the walk. It’s a good way of getting people together and making memories.
