Santa Claus float helps organisations in Middleton

Father Christmas and his helpers from Middleton Athletic Ladies’ Football Club

Father Christmas made another trip to Middleton on Wednesday 15 December, as part of a Christmas float parade.

Fundraisers from Middleton Rotary Club walked alongside him, collecting for local charities and community projects.

The streets were full of children and adults, all of whom came out to see the Santa on his float.

Pauline Journeaux, member of Middleton Rotary said: “Everyone was really enthusiastic and waiting for Santa to arrive, as he does every year in Middleton. Walking and collecting with the float is hard work, but great fun and its fantastic to see all the excited children (and adults) coming out of their houses to donate to local charities and see Santa”.

Helpers came from other local organisations, including Middleton Athletic Ladies’ Football Club. Club treasurer Carol Booth said: “We were all a bit excited to see Santa Claus, because we’re all a bit mad.”

“We had a ball.”

She said the fundraising aspect was particularly important. “Most of the girls here come from Middleton too.

“This year we got to the FA cup rounds for the first time. It’s costing us a fortune. We usually do our own fundraising but we’re finding it difficult now.

“It’s all about the girls having fun.”

A local grandparent said: “My granddaughter was so excited when the float went round her street last night she rang me to tell me Santa had been. Now I can ring her up to say he’s visited me as well!”

Another resident said: “I always look forward to Santa’s visit, he’s been coming since my children were little and they’re in their 30’s now!”

Children came out in their pyjamas to see Father Christmas, and three little girls gave him hand-made models of him and his reindeer, Rudolph.

This fundraising is part of a ‘Dragons Den’ project by the Rotarians, wherein Middleton-based organisations can email in a pitch to a judging panel, and those deemed most worthy will be given donations. This aims to increase the range of organisations who receive money from the Rotary Club.

Keith Trinnaman, Middleton Rotary Club Treasurer, said: “The fundraising is going really well. We’re up to about £4,300 and we’ve got another collection tonight. At the moment we’re collecting in Sainsbury’s car park with Father Christmas again.”

“Our yearly target is £5000 and it looks like this is going to happen,” he added.

If you would like to pitch your worthy cause to the Rotary Dragons, contact information can be found here:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/35/middleton-news/48671/cash-for-community-projects-up-for-grabs-thanks-to-rotarians