Santa visits Carlisle thanks to local Rotary clubs

Santa will be visiting residential areas in Carlisle in his sleigh, thanks to local Rotary clubs.

The annual sleigh run starts tomorrow, Tuesday December 10.

Brampton and Longtown, Carlisle and Carlisle Castle Rotary clubs will operate the sleigh for Santa on 10 nights between them, under the Rotary in Carlisle banner, collecting for charities supported by Rotary.

Local fundraisers have hired the sleigh for a further three nights, including staff from David Allen who will be raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Other charities supported by the three Rotary clubs at Christmas in the past have included Hospice at Home, Carlisle’s Women’s Refuge and the Cumbria Winter Warmth Fund.

The sleigh is owned by the Rotary Club of Carlisle Castle which hires it out to other Rotary clubs and community groups.

President of Carlisle Castle Rotary Club, Paul Faris, said: “We really enjoy working alongside our fellow Rotary clubs and the other community organisations – and not just at Christmas time.

“It’s important to take the sleigh to as many different communities as possible and give as many children as possible a chance to interact with Santa.

“The smiles on their faces say it all. We would like to cover more parts of the city, but as we are reliant on volunteers there is a limit to what we can do. We’d especially like to thank Kingmoor Park for allowing us to store the sleigh with them when it’s not in use.”

Dates and locations of this year’s sleigh runs:

Most start at 5.30pm