RYEDALE Lions Club is teaming up once again with Santa on his pre-Christmas tour around the district.

Father Christmas will be making his first appearance at the switch-on of Pickering’s Christmas lights in the Market Place, on Saturday, from 4.30pm, before climbing aboard his sleigh and calling at towns and villages around Ryedale to help make dreams come true for local children.

The sleigh will also make an extra stop this year in Helmsley Market Square, during the afternoon of Saturday, December 7.

Santa’s “little helpers” from the Lions Club will be with the sleigh and collecting door-to-door to raise funds for Ryedale Special Families and Ryedale Carers, as well as other Lions charities, in its biggest fundraising event of the year.

“This is a special time of year for all children and their families and we hope as many as possible take the opportunity to meet Santa and help some very worthwhile local causes,” said Ryedale Lions president, Vic Hall.

“Last year, the event raised a record £7,000 and the Lions hope to do even better this year.”

 

Santa’s tour (subject to weather):

Saturday – switch-on of Pickering Christmas lights 5pm;

Friday, December 6 – Kirkbymoorside East (including Ings Lane) 5.30pm;

Saturday, December 7 – Helmsley Market Square, 3pm to 6pm;

Sunday, December 8 – Helmsley (South) 4pm and (North) 6.30pm;

Monday, December 9 – Rosedale 5pm, Cropton 5.40pm, Wrelton 6.30pm, Middleton 7.40pm;

Tuesday, December 10 – Beadlam 5.30pm, Nawton 6.45pm, Kirkbymoorside, Lund Lane and Parkers Mount, 7.45pm;

Wednesday, December 11 – Appleton-Le-Moors 5.40pm, Spaunton 6.10pm, Lastingham 6.40pm, Hutton 7.20pm, Keldholme and Kirkby Mills 7.50pm;

Thursday, December 12 – Oswaldkirk 5.30pm, Ampleforth 6.50pm;

Friday, December 13 – Wilton 5pm, Thornton-Le-Dale 5.30pm;

Saturday, December 14 – Kirkbymoorside (including West Pasture) 5.15pm;

Sunday, December 15 – Pickering (West) 4pm, Pickering (East) 6.30pm;

Monday, December 16 – Nunnington 5.30pm, Harome 6.30pm, Wombleton 7.50pm;

Wednesday, December 18 – Gillamoor 5.30pm, Fadmoor 6.15pm, Great Edstone 7pm; Thursday,

December 19 – Salton 5.30pm; Normanby 6.10pm, Marton 6.50pm.