FATHER Christmas and his little helpers from Ryedale Lions Club begin their sleigh tour with a Yuletide night at Ryedale Folk Museum on November 30, followed by the Pickering Christmas lights switch-on on December 1.

He will then be flying around some 30 towns and villages during the next fortnight, collecting door-to-door.

Ryedale Lions sleigh organiser Brian Johnson said: “It’s marvellous to see so many children enjoying their special visit from Father Christmas. But most importantly, it means we shall be able to raise much-needed money to help many local and deserving causes.”

The largest beneficiaries from this year’s collection will be the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Ryedale Special Families and Sight Support.

Full details of the sleigh schedule (subject to weather) are:

  • Friday, November 30: Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-le-Hole, 6pm.
  • Saturday, December 1: Pickering lights switch-on, 4.30pm.
  • Sunday, December 2: Helmsley (South) 4pm, Helmsley (North) 6.30pm.
  • Monday, December 3: Rosedale School 4.40pm, Cropton 5.40pm, Wrelton 6.30pm, Aislaby and Middleton 7.30pm.
  • Tuesday, December 4: Beadlam 5.30pm, Nawton 6.45pm, Kirkbymoorside (Lund Lane and Parkers Mount) 7.45pm.
  • Wednesday, December 5: Appleton 5.30pm, Spaunton 6.10pm, Lastingham 6.40pm, Crown Inn, Hutton-le-Hole 7.20pm, Keldholme and Kirkby Mills 8pm.
  • Thursday, December 6: Oswaldkirk 5.30pm, Ampleforth 6.50pm.
  • Friday, December 7: Thornton Dale 5pm.
  • Saturday, December 8: Kirkbymoorside (East) 5.15pm.
  • Sunday, December 9: Pickering (South West) 4pm, Pickering (East) 6.30pm.
  • Monday, December 10: Nunnington 5.30pm, Harome 6.30pm, Wombleton 7.50pm.
  • Tuesday, December 11: Kirkbymoorside (West) 5.15pm.
  • Wednesday, December 12: Wilton 5.30pm, Cayley Arms, Ebberston and Allerston 6.30pm.
  • Thursday, December 13: Salton 5.30pm, Normanby 6.10pm, Marton 6.50pm, Sinnington 7.30pm. Friday, December 14: Pickering (North) 5.30pm.
  • Saturday, December 15: Pickering Market Place 11am to 2pm.
  • Sunday, December 16: Gillamoor 5.40pm, Fadmoor 6.20pm, Great Edstone 7pm.