Carry On Christmas
For nearly twenty years the Rotary Club of Durham has driven its sleigh, complete with Father Christmas, Music and free lollipops around the suburbs of Durham in the evenings of those nights during the pre-Christmas period. Through rain, snow, frost, moonlight and fog the arrival of the sleigh has been eagerly awaited by local residents and their children. Each evening six or so Rotarians, often with their wives, have knocked on doors, rung doorbells and collected contributions to the charity fund. Children of all ages have clambered onto the sledge to confide their expectations of Christmas presents to come. Tots in pyjamas (and frequently mothers in dressing gowns) have welcomed club members and both sides have enjoyed the annual visits. It has been good for the community and even better for Rotary.
The demands made on the club have been very real. As members get older it has been less easy to sustain the nightly dash from door to door. In recent years the club has benefited from assistance from the local scout groups. There have been problems maintaining the sleigh and storing it during the rest of the year. More recently the tight regulations about contact between adults and children have made life more difficult. Nevertheless the tradition has continued. For the last three years the practice of basing the sleigh in the Market Place on a Saturday has been extended by the strategic stationing of the sleigh at the entrance to Sainsbury’s and Tesco. The club has been delighted to have the support of these supermarkets.
The total contributions to the charity fund have been climbing steadily. This year the total of over £4000 was a record for the club and a demonstration of the friendly and generous support which Rotary receives from the local community.
back The main aim of this committee is to plan and carry out educational, humanitarian, vocational and youth projects that address the needs of the local community. [now includes fundraising]