Santa on Tour in York
York children, both young and old, enjoy the experience of meeting Santa Claus as he tours the streets and villages of York, courtesy of Rotary York Ainsty members and their spectacular sleigh. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE ON-GOING COVID-19 CRISIS, SANTA IS TAKING A BREAK FOR 2020...
Nortmally, Rotarians and ‘Elf’ assistants start the York and district journeys with Santa in early December and travel out and about to various village and city locations, bringing the Christmas message to the communities.
As well as providing all an opportunity to meet Santa, the initiative is a fund-raiser and every year many thousands of pounds are collected and donated to charities both near and far.
ABOVE: Santa on tour with Rotary York Ainsty Rotarian 'collection Elves' - Peter Kendall, John Merchant, Christine True and John Niklaus.
In recent years, close to £10,000 has been generated by the project, with certain locations and collections now dedicated to and run by specific local charities - in partnership with Rotary York Ainsty.
Historically, the charities provide Santa and the collection ‘elves’.
They are:
> York MIND
> Wilberforce Trust
> St Leonards Hospice
> Copmanthorpe Scouts
> Manor Academy Secondary School, Poppleton
> Door 84 Youth
> Community Sparks
> Vale of York Academy
Santa's partners in previous years have included:
York City Council (Front Street, Acomb);
Morrison’s supermarket, Acomb;
Morrison’s supermarket, Foss Island Road
ASDA, Monks Cross
Tesco supermarket (Askham Bar)
permitting us to collect at their locations. Raising monies for the worthy charities (and more) listed above.