A Christmas Santa float is touring Worsley streets this month, bringing festive magic to children and raising funds for local community groups.
The Worsley Rotary Club float, which is brightly decorated with various lights and festive ornaments, sets off nightly at 6.30pm, following a preplanned route and stopping along the way for families to come and see Santa.
Many of the children had wish-lists prepared to hand over to Santa, in hopes of receiving their dream gifts on Christmas day.
Stanley Eames, who volunteered at one of the events, said: “It’s such fun to see all the children looking out for Father Christmas and waving and all excited, really believing they’re talking to him and that they’re going to get their presents. It’s just such a pleasure to be there.”
Different groups of volunteers join the team each night to walk alongside the float, carrying donation buckets as they move from street to street.
Volunteers from Springwood Primary school attended one of the recent float parades.
Assistant deadteacher Scott Jepsen said: “The event is close to our hearts, as many of our staff live in the Salford community. It is a great opportunity to give back and support not only the wider community but many of our pupils’ families.
“I always encourage all my staff to join in and participate in the Santa float walk as it gives a real sense of community, inclusion and support to many families that find it difficult that this time of year.
“The faces of the children who come out to see Santa on route, the many adults who have grown up with the Rotary Club float each year and the levels of engagement and enjoyment really demonstrate the importance of this event each year.”
For many in Worsley, the longstanding tradition holds significant importance as they make generous donations, with cash at the ready in preparation of Santa’s visit.
Trevor Jee, a member of Worsley Rotary Club and key organiser, said: “The history of the event really starts quite a long time ago, certainly prior to 1972 with the Roundtable group in Worsley.
“A lot of the Roundtable members, as they got kicked out at 40, joined Rotary. The Rotary started in 1978 and they’ve continued the Father Christmas Float.
“The reason I do it is probably 70% seeing the fun that the kids have and then 30% pulling together money for other charities that we give to.”
Most of the money raised is distributed at the club’s annual “Dragon’s Den” event, where local organisations for pitch for a grant.
The Dragons have had between £5,000 and £6,000 to distribute each year, adding up to more than £75,000 over the years.
All 10 finalists in the Dragons’ Den event receive a cheque, and many non-finalists also receive donations. Fimalists in previous years have included local organisations like: Recreate-U, Frost Foundation, Together Trust, CommUNITY Little Hulton and Boothstown Guides.
Trevor Jee said: “What we’re finding is a lot of organisations to help disadvantaged people: youngsters that are struggling, elderly people and care organisations. We get a lot of satisfaction over helping them.”
Worsley Rotary Club retains a little of the money raised for essential maintenance of the float and the Honda that has been towing it around for 15 years.
The club paid special tribute to the Ellesmere Centre which has provided a safe and secure area for them to keep the float.
More information about the event can be found here.
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