Appeal for new home for club's sleigh

The sleigh - photographed here with a rotary club member - has an annual check-up to make sure it is safe, says club president John Stamp

A rotary club has launched an appeal to find a new place to store its sleigh.

Belper and Duffield Rotary Club said the garage where it had been kept, on the site of a scout centre in Belper, was due to be built on.

John Stamp, president of the rotary club, said it needed a dry space, where the sleigh could be stored along with equipment like games, gazebos, flags and pop-up banners.

He added: "We really do need a new home for the Santa's sleigh, if anyone has storage space the size of a single garage?"

At Christmas, one of the sleigh's outings includes when it parks in Belper for families to enjoy

He added: "We know things don't come free - we don't expect it totally donated for nothing, but we are a small charity.

"If you have got somewhere where you think you can house a sleigh, please get in touch.

"We would be very appreciative of some help."

Mr Stamp said: "During winter months we're in and out with the sleigh.

"The access is quite important - we need to get access to it quite regularly."

He thanked the Alton Manor Scout Group for storing it for five years or more.

At Christmas, the sleigh, and Santa, tour the streets of Belper and Duffield, as well as an event where it parks in King Street, in Belper town centre.

The club collects money for charity at the same time, and last year £3,500 was raised to support a range of local, national and international projects, Mr Stamp added.

If you can help with a new home for the sleigh, you can find the rotary club on Facebook.