Ryedale Lions are busy making final preparations to help Santa on his trips round Ryedale in December .

The routes and times are planned, the elves have their hats and the sleigh is ready to go.

To add to the excitement of Santa’s visits he’ll be arriving in a brand new sleigh and on many occasions his reindeer will get a helping tow from Santa’s dazzling red all electric car.

The sleigh will make its first appearance at the Christmas Lights Switch On event in Pickering on November 25 and will have more than 20 outings during December.

Santa’s Sleigh has become a much loved tradition and Ryedale Lions are delighted to be able to be part of so many people’s Christmas while at the same time raising funds for local good causes and charities.

Ryedale Lions President , Andrew Mansfield , said “ We always look forward to Santa’s Sleigh and having a new sleigh is very exciting. The sleigh programme does make demands are we are indebted to the many individuals who volunteer as elves to go door to door and the organisations which provide whole teams on some nights. Also to our sponsors for their support which makes a significant difference to the help we can provide in the local communities.”

There are a few sponsorship opportunities still available and some room for anyone who would like to be a volunteer elf. Contact us through Ryedalelionsclub@gmail.com or ring 07984989145(elves) 07739355951(sponsorship)

Andrew concluded “ We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas , look forward to meeting you in December and thank you for your ongoing support for Ryedale Lions”

You can keep up to date with all Santa activity om Ryedalelionsclub@gmail.com including our Santa Tracker and Sponsorship partners

Malton, Norton & District Lions Santa’s sleigh is also back in business in December delivering magic in Malton, Norton and nearby villages in the run up to Christmas!

Santa will be out and about again helping the Lions raise thousands of pounds to support vulnerable families and people in need.

Lion President, Lindsay Wrightson, said: “Santa will be taking our sleigh out to see children and families across Ryedale for 17 nights in December.

“We are urging everyone to keep a look out for Santa on his rounds – check our sleigh routes on notice boards and lampposts for more details as we visit Malton, Norton and villages from Slingsby to Scampston, Thixendale to Thornton le Clay and everywhere in between!”

Anyone who would like to help the Lions support a whole range of good causes can make a donation by going to http://easydonate.org/VPNA09 Santa will also bringing along his card reader on the sleigh so donations can be made by card!

Lindsay added: “We know how much youngsters and their families look forward to seeing Santa. This year is going to be a tough one again for many people due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, so we hope we can bring some Christmas magic to Ryedale in the run up to the festive season.

“Santa is always keen to help us raise money to help local people and we are grateful to everyone – including our amazing sponsors who make sure the reindeer are fed and watered each night - for their generous support.

“We were thrilled by the amount we raised in 2022 and we hope Santa and and his merry bunch of elves will help us raise even more this year.”