£13,000 raised by Christmas sleigh collections in Watford

Father Christmas spread some festive cheer as he toured the streets of Watford in the build-up to December 25, with the money donated by people across the town who came out to watch Santa on his travels.

The traditional tour was organised by the Rotary Club of Watford, which has thanked residents for generously giving to the organisation’s charity fund. The money will be used to support smaller local charities in the area.

The club has also thanked all those who helped with the collections, including staff at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden who created and built the new sleigh, complete with sound system and snow machine, making it a big hit with children.

Reflecting on the sum raised, club president Malcolm Jones said: “This would not have been possible without the help of our drivers, Chris Luff and his wife Liz and Councillor Simon Feldman and his wife Jenny who were up at the crack of dawn and late in the evening to tow the sleigh, plus Louise and Greg from the Watford Scouts and Beadles of Watford who came to our rescue when we needed an extra tow vehicle. Thank you all, we could not have done it without you.

“A big thank you to Tesco’s, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Asda for letting us collect outside their stores and Priti Patel and her team at the Atria shopping centre, your customers were all really generous.

“Thank you to our volunteer collectors, John Swain and the Kingswood Residents Association, The Watford Peace Hospice volunteers and local Cassiobury residents, thank you, you were all great. And of course, the team of Watford Rotary, headed up by organiser Richard Goates, without whom, none of this would have happened.”

If you would like to get involved with Watford Rotary, email watfordrotary@btinternet.com