Tuesday 6^th December saw Councillor Sue Dobson, the Mayor of Chelmsford, launch Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s Santa Sleigh tour from Beaulieu - Countryside and L&Q’s impressive housing development in Chelmsford.

Dedicated to raising much-needed funding for local charities, Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club has embarked on a festive expedition around Chelmsford in the lead up to Christmas. The ten-night tour commenced on Tuesday6^th December waved off by the Mayor of Chelmsford from the Beaulieu Community Centre. Santa and his elves proceeded to meet the children from Armistice Avenue, Wright Crescent and Ben Wilson Link to spread some Christmas excitement.

Fundraising for a selection of locally based charities, which includes The Children’s Society East (Hidden Harm) and The Wilderness Foundation (UK), the tour will be covering a number of destinations within the local area, including: Sainsbury’s Superstore (Saturday 10^th December), Channels Area (15^th December), Boreham (16^th and 17^th December) as well as Great Waltham and Little Waltham (19^th December), before completing the tour on 22^nd December in Regiment Gate, Beaulieu.

Chelmsford residents can track Santa’s journey via the sleigh tracker. This will not only show his current position, but allow children and their parents to see upcoming destinations and when his sleigh will be in your area. Full details of the dates and destinations can also be found on Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s website and social media.

Tom Harper, President at Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club, said:

“I am really looking forward to helping Santa take his sleigh around the streets of Chelmsford this year. We have increased our visits from last year and will now include parts of North Springfield, New Beaulieu, Channels, Boreham, Ford End, Great Waltham and Little Waltham. I am really looking forward to bringing a little festive cheer to the many communities in and around Chelmsford, and to helping to raise money for our favourite charities.

“I am so pleased the Mayor of Chelmsford was in attendance at the Beaulieu Community Centre to ‘wave us off’ on our first trip of the year, and thanks as always to Beaulieu for supporting us”.

Martin Leach, Managing Director, Strategic Land and Major Projects, Countryside Partnerships, said:

“We are very proud to be sponsoring Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s festive activities this year. Their projects and contributions are an integral part of the local community and it’s great to be able to celebrate Christmas whilst also donating proceeds to worthy causes in the area.’

Adam Simpson, Director of Project Management and Development at L&Q, said:

“It was wonderful to see the Santa Sleigh tour kick off at Beaulieu in true festive style. This initiative raises funds for some brilliant local charities who do so much in the community. We are delighted to be able to support the Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s work.”

Cllr Sue Dobson, The Mayor of Chelmsford, said:

“I was delighted to be given the opportunity to wave off the Rotary sleigh this year on the first night of its annual tour of North Springfield, Beaulieu, Channels, the Walthams, Ford End and this year to include Boreham. Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary members give valuable service to our community and this year will be fundraising, enabling valuable support for local charities as well as the Wilderness Foundation and The Children’s Society East”.