The Penwortham Santa Sleigh Ride has been saved, thanks to kind-hearted members of the community.

The traditional tour around the streets of the town is usually run by the South Ribble Rotary Club, but due to members in an at-risk category for Covid-19, it was decided it couldn’t go ahead this year.

The announcement was spotted by Gillian Bevan, an administrator of the Penwortham Day and Night Facebook Page, who pulled in help from Penwortham firefighter Adam Wagstaff and her boss, estate agent Michael Bailey, to take over and sponsor the event.

“Normally by now we’re having parties and pantos, so people were crushed that this wasn’t happening either”, said Gillian.

Michael Bialey with Adam and Beau Wagstaff who have stepped in to save Santa and his sleigh ride in Penwortham

placeholder image — Michael Bialey with Adam and Beau Wagstaff who have stepped in to save Santa and his sleigh ride in Penwortham

“It’s been a lot of hard work in a short amount of time, but we have pulled it off thanks to the support of South Ribble Council and the Rotary Club for lending the sleigh.”

The tour will start at 3.45pm on Saturday from the fire station in Leyland Road, before travelling up Penwortham Hill, along Kingsway, to Howick, through the estate off Central Drive, to Hill Road South, Kingsfold and then back to the fire station.

Gillian added: "We're making sure that we cover all areas of Penwortham. But if we're not going down your street and you travel to watch, please make sure you're not gathering outside someone's driveway."

The event is fundraising for local charities including Rock FMs Cash For Kids, the NSPCC and the Rotary Club.

Cash donations will be taken on the night, but can also be made online at: http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gillian-bevan1