Rotarians bring the Christmas spirit to Middleton

Middleton residents meet Father Christmas as the Rotary Club of Middleton's festive float tours the town.

Members of the Rotary Club of Middleton have been spreading some Christmas cheer as their Christmas float has hit the streets throughout the town.

Father Christmas and his helpers have been appealing to residents to raise funds for local causes. And people have been digging deep, with the float raising around £500 a night since it first starting touring Middleton two weeks ago.

The float will be around the Grimshaw Lane and Middleton Junction area tonight (Friday 18 December) for its final night on the streets.

Next month the Rotary club will be sharing out the money amongst local causes. Last year the Rotarians helped Springhill Hospice, Francis House Children's Hospice, Making Space; local Scouts & Guides, Royal British Legion, local football teams, as well as supporting sports activities in local schools.

The Rotarians have been hard at work in Middleton throughout the Christmas period. As well as their float, Father Christmas and his reindeer have been in the Middleton Arndale every weekend in December courtesy of the Rotary club. Children could talk to Santa and receive a small gift free of charge, although many Middletonians were kind enough to make donations towards the rotary club's causes.

Children under 10 have a last chance to ask Father Christmas to grant their wishes this weekend.

The Rotarians have also been into local primary schools to help youngsters prepare shoebox parcels for orphans in eastern Europe.

Project co-ordinator, Rotarian Stuart Sawle, said: "The children have shown a real appreciation for others that are not as fortunate as themselves. The children love it. As soon as you walk into the playground with the shoeboxes you can tell they know what they're going to be doing and they get a real buzz of excitement.

"It's great to see the spirit of everyone in Middleton in evidence at this time of year."