£10,000 donated by the public as Santa and his Rotary Elves deliver joy to Leighton Linslade in dark times

In partnership with Santa they were able to organise visits around the Leighton Linslade area during December bringing joy and happiness in very challenging times.

Unfortunately the last four visits had to be cancelled as the area moved into Tier 4 restrictions, but Santa still visited the area on 13 occasions and received a rapturous , socially distanced, welcome wherever he went.

Together with his Rotary Elves, Santa was overwhelmed by the response he received and, when you include the Elves tombolla stall at the Christmas Market, the people of Leighton Linslade donated a little over £10,000 to help Rotary support good causes throughout the year.

Already Rotary have agreed the distribution of £4,750 which will help charities chart a path through these unprecedented times.

Simon Marshall, Rotary Club president, said: “Rotary wish to send a enormous thank you to the people of Leighton Linslade for all their support and understanding in December as we facilitated Santa and his sleigh visiting our area in such unprecedented times.

“We have been overwhelmed with the response of the public at a time when everyone is finding it tough and what they have done will enable us to support the local community as we move into 2021.

“A special thank you goes to an anonymous gentleman who approached the Rotary Elves market stall and made a £300 donation. Whoever you are we are humbled by your support and faith in Rotary we won’t let you down.”