Santa and his sleigh is officially 'ON' and coming to a street near you!

IT'S been an unusual year, but not even a worldwide Pandemic will stop Santa from riding his sleigh around Southport this Christmas. The Southport Hesketh Round Table Santa and his festive elves WILL be carrying out their sleigh ride tours across Southport after the National Lockdown ends, on 2 December 2020. And, while the float tours may look a little different from years gone by, they have never been more important because each of the charities and local community projects behind them have lost income as a result of the Coronavirus. Marc Foreman, Vice Chairman estimates they have lost up to ₤15,000 after major fundraising events, including both the bonfire display and Mad Dog 10k, had to be called off. And 100% of all these donations go towards local charities and community projects. He hopes families who watch Santa's sleigh route will give generously; although rather than dropping their loose change in a bucket, they will go online using a Justgiving donations page.  Marc Foreman said that:- "We are ecstatic with the news that we're now in a Tier 2 Region that we can now travel the streets of Southport."

Collectors will not be knocking on doors and families should wave at Santa and his elves from their windows or doorsteps rather than approach the sleigh to keep to the social distancing guidelines.  Marc said:- "I think it's really important for local children that we do the float; otherwise the message is that Santa can't come because of Covid-19 and nothing can stop Santa from visiting."

The full itinerary will be published nearer the time on the Southport Hesketh Round Table Facebook Page (SHRT1199) where people can also make a donation using the just giving page. "At the moment we have lost all of our donation channels after we had to cancel the events, and the 2020 donations are down. This year we received a fantastic donation to purchase a new sound system for the float from Methven UK Ltd, supplier of premium showers and taps, so this will enhance the Christmas Spirit this year." said Marc.

Southport Hesketh Round Table donates to a host of good causes annually and Marc suspects there will be more causes that need help next year, as a result of the Pandemic. As well as the sleigh ride, the charity is supporting Families in Need that are struggling for a Christmas Dinner this year. They have pledged to provide the ingredients for a Christmas dinner and a few Christmas presents or games for 60 local families in the local area. They are working with the Southport Schools and Local Council to ensure that these families can enjoy a Christmas dinner and something that most of us take for granted on the special day. 

THE 12 6ft tall Nutcrackers, which celebrate the magic of Christmas, are currently located at various positions around Southport Town Centre. They are being provided by Southport BID which is inviting local families to have fun by completing this year's Southport Nutcracker Trail.

Southport BID's CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "It's sad to see that anyone would vandalise our Southport Nutcrackers, which are here to bring some Christmas cheer to families and to Southport Town Centre. Stickers with names of the Nutcrackers were removed. We have ordered some replacements which will be in place by the weekend. In the meantime, people can still enjoy the Nutcracker Trail around Southport, and can still enter our competition to win an iPad Mini. Please just write:- 'no name' for those missing and submit all your entries via our special postbox outside Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street. We have been in discussion with Merseyside Police about looking to provide more officers and more support for Southport Town Centre when the 2nd National Lockdown ends, on 2 December 2020, and more businesses are allowed to re-open. "

Over the Lockdown local people took part in a competition this year to name this year's 12 Nutcrackers, so why not take up the challenge and discover what they are all called?  You can spot them by taking part in the Southport Nutcracker Trail, which you can download here.  Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "During the November Lockdown, we want families to be able to enjoy their exercise by trying to spot all 12 Nutcrackers in a safe and socially distanced way. If the current restrictions are lifted in December then the Nutcracker Trail will be a good way of encouraging people to come and enjoy their Christmas shopping and meals out in Town. We would love to see your selfies with the Nutcrackers, or your photos of them! Please share your pictures on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and include the hashtag:- '#southportnutcrackers' and we will offer a prize of a ₤50 Southport Gift Card for the best 1 while we have an iPad Mini for someone who completes the Southport Nutcracker Trail."

To enter the competition all you need to do is spot them by taking part in the Southport Nutcracker Trail, which you can downloaded, then print it off and take it with you... When you have got them all, please fill in your details and post it into Santa's Postbox, which is located outside Wayfarer's Arcade, on Lord Street. Alternatively you can email your completed trail sheet along with your name and contact details to:- Info@SouthportBID.Com.

For more details about the Southport BID, please visit their website at:- SouthportBID.Com or Like the Southport BID Oage on Facebook. For more details and to buy the new Southport Gift Card please visit:- SouthportGiftCard.Co.UK.