THE magic of Christmas has been alive this week, with Santa arriving by sleigh at events for children in Buttershaw.
Bradford College stepped in after an urgent sponsorship appeal by local councillors to help build and decorate a sleigh for Santa - just in time for a series of special breakfasts.
Councillor Chris Hayden (Lab, Eccleshill) said: “Last Christmas, hundreds of people in Ravenscliffe and Greengates turned out to watch a spectacular Santa parade after we borrowed a sleigh made by Baildon Men’s Shed.
“The volunteer team, myself, and Cllr Andy Walsh (Wyke ward councillor and CEO at the Sandale Community Trust) hoped to expand Santa’s route this year and incorporate more Bradford postcodes with a higher proportion of social housing. However, the sleigh was no longer available.
“Not to be thwarted, Cllr Walsh set his team about designing and building a brilliant new sleigh from a converted camping trailer.
"This is to be maintained by the newly-formed ‘BD10 Community Events’ group, in partnership with Sandale Community Trust and students at Bradford College.
“The project team received the support of local youth services and community centres to assist with the project, however an appeal needed to be launched to cover the construction costs, decoration costs and the costs for running the events.”
In a gesture of seasonal goodwill, Bradford College supported the project to ensure the parades could go ahead annually.
These were kicked off by a series of free Santa breakfasts held at the Sandale Community Hub in Buttershaw on Monday and today (Wednesday).
Cllr Walsh said: “We are thrilled to make so many wishes come true this Christmas, thanks to the support of great partners like Bradford College and Incommunities Ltd, Sandale Community Trust volunteers and generous donations from the local church and members of the public.
“Christmas is a costly time of year, and getting tickets to meet Santa is just too expensive for many struggling families. I remember how magical it was as a kid, and I’d hate for any children to miss out on that experience.
“That’s why we put on these free breakfasts for local children and their families - so they can all enjoy a free meal, experience seeing Santa arrive outside on his sleigh, and visit our special grotto to receive their present.”
Sarah Towan, Bradford College vice principal for recruitment and communications, said: “It’s fantastic to support such a great cause - Sandale really do amazing work.
"As the community college for Bradford, we are relentless in our ambition to support local people wherever we can.”
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