Middleton Christmas Float raises nearly £6,000

Rotary Club of Middleton, the Christmas float’s house-to-house tour

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Father Christmas and his helpers raised almost £6,000 for charities and community groups after their annual tour of Middleton’s streets concluded today (Friday 21 December).

Organised by the Rotary Club of Middleton, the Christmas float’s house-to-house tour of the town took place on week days from 4 December.

Although a final count is still to be confirmed, the money raised is set to exceed last year’s total, and treasurer Keith Trinnaman paid tribute to the generosity displayed.

“Middleton Rotary Club is overwhelmed by the response we have had from the very generous people in Middleton,” he said.

“Given the financial constraints everyone is suffering, this really is an exceptional response.

“It gives great heart to the members of Middleton Rotary who have had to endure the wintery conditions to bring Santa to Middleton.

“The children’s delight, and the generosity shown, makes it all so worthwhile.”

Mr Trinnaman said with two days worth of collecting still to be added, the total money raised had exceeded £5000, which represented a £350 increase compared to the same point last year.

“Hopefully if things continue as they have been, we may well reach a figure of £6000,” he said.

Alongside touring the streets of Middleton, the float also stayed outside Sainsbury’s near Heaton Park, greeting shoppers on Friday 14 December and Friday 21 December.

Last year the Rotary Club of Middleton presented nearly £5,000 to community groups following their Christmas Float collections.