THE ANNUAL Santa Sleigh, which was in danger of coming to an end, has been saved, thanks to a football club and Bromsgrove Logistics.
Bromsgrove Rovers AFC stepped in after seeing a Facebook post from the town’s Round Table on October 23 which apologised and said ‘with a heavy heart’ it had taken the decision due to issues out of its hands and personal circumstances.
Ian Hannis, Rovers’ vice chair, said he could not see another long-standing town tradition disappear.
He immediately contacted the club’s chairman Bryn Davies and secretary Mark Whitehouse, along with Paul Melbourne from Bromsgrove Logistics which has sponsored Rovers for many years and jumped at the chance to volunteer and provide vehicle support. The Ladies’ Circle also joined the team.
“The Bromsgrove Round Table has done a fantastic job over many years bringing this event to the town for the enjoyment of the residents and to help local charities and we want to make sure it carries on for many years to come.
“The Santa Sleigh collection belongs to Bromsgrove – we are just the custodians of this tradition for the community.”
The Santa Sleigh has always run for 12 nights and the new organisers plan to keep it that way.
Ian added: “It is the perfect start to Christmas and brings lots of joy to hundreds of people during those 12 days.
“It has not just been a highlight for children in the last few years but, in many cases, their parents and grandparents too – two or three generations.”
The North Worcestershire Basement Project, the Sidemoor Community Project, along with their foodbanks and possibly Catshill Foodbank are among the causes funds will be raised for.
As well as the Santa Sleigh run, several static appearances, including Catshill village’s Christmas lights switch-on will also take place.
But Ian said: “In order for that to happen, it will be a case of ‘many hands make light work’ so we will need as many volunteers as we can get.”
Appeal for volunteers and singers
He has urged anyone who can help by volunteering to get in touch.
He also wants to hear from singers who perform Christmas carols and/or Christmas songs for the static appearances.
Anyone interested should e-mail [email protected] for more information and to register their interest.
The organisers will receive the sleigh in the coming days and will be revealing the routes soon.
Visit the ‘Bromsgrove Santa Sleigh’ Facebook page for the latest updates and go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/2023-bromsgrove-santa-sleigh link for donations.
Bromsgrove Rovers AFC started in 2020 to provide grassroots football to children of all ages and abilities and to help the local community. It has gone from strength-to-strength and currently has 12 youth teams and an adult team.
