Rotary Club of Padiham ensured it was a merry Christmas for all

As is customary, the Padiham Rotary sleigh travelled through the town at Christmas, although Covid restrictions meant it was unable to stop.

Heather Whitham from the group said: "The sleigh went out in all but pouring rain with a few Rotarians following behind with buckets on broom handles so that people could donate, if they wanted to.

"The sleigh couldn’t stop this year because of the pandemic so there were no lollies and no children sitting on Santa’s knee. However, it was a joy to see the kiddies' faces as Santa went by.

"We also had three stints outside Padiham Tesco where the children again could just stand away from Santa and wave. At least it was something. Because of people's generosity we had quite an amount to give."

The charities and good causes to benefit were: Pendleside Hospice, North West Air Ambulance, A Survival Box - for use in disaster areas, Derian House Children’s Hospice, Samaritans, Blood Bikes, NSPCC local, Children’s’ Heart Surgery – Leeds, The Good Samaritan school in Uganda, Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Padiham Archives, St Leonard’s Guides, Padiham Cricket Club, Padiham Football Club, Padiham Archives, BK’s Heroes, The Talking Newspaper, Dictionaries for Local Primary school children - to be given out later in the year.