Tesco Forres is the last stop on Santa’s local tour with Rotary Club of Forres and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Father Christmas will make one more local appearance before getting ready to fly around the world delivering presents on Christmas Eve.
Having completed his traditional sleigh run over seven evenings around Forres and Kinloss, Santa and his friends at Forres Rotary and Forres Fire Station will meet and greet families at the doors of Forres Tesco from 10am-4pm on Saturday, December 21.
Sleigh tour organiser and Rotarian, Andy Wardley, thanked his fellow volunteers for their help over the last fortnight.
He said: “Santa’s run went very well in good weather for the time of year, and with fantastic support from Forres Rotary’s volunteer elves as well as the Forres Fire and Rescue team.
“The turnout over the seven nights was amazing. Everyone made the effort to find out what area we would be in so we often arrived to find big crowds of kids, mums and dads waiting to see us!”
There were memorable interactions at the majority of stops but Andy highlighted two in particular.
He said: “At one stop, a group of children had their Christmas wish lists ready for Santa to take away.
“Another night, when we finished the run at the Royal British Legion (Scotland), the Scouts and Brownies having their Christmas party all came out to see Santa. They were delighted to see the fire engine too!”
Families turned out for Santa’s sleigh all over Kinloss and Forres but the team confirmed Knockomie was busiest.
“All of the houses were well lit-up,” said Andy. “The families there were very keen to see, as well as follow us! They also got to see Don the elf on the Rotary’s new trishaw.”
Santa’s sleigh tour of local housing estates is in aid of local causes. Don the Elf and his team of Rotary volunteers collect the donations, jingling all the way.
“Our Tesco appearance offers an ideal opportunity for anyone who missed Santa on his rounds to see him again,” said Andy.
“Whatever we raise will go back into projects within the local community. We’ll total up and announce who is getting what after Christmas!”
He finished: “Thank you to everyone who made the effort to see us or donate to the collection. Have a merry Christmas!”
