On Tuesday 3rd December, the Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford Councillor Susan Sullivan, and her Consort John Pioli, attended the launch of Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s annual Santa Sleigh tour at Beaulieu – Countryside (now party of Vistry Group) and L&Q’s development in Chelmsford.
Returning for its fourth year, the tour officially commenced from the Beaulieu Community Centre and was marked by the Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford waving the sleigh off on its journey across the surrounding streets.
Comprising 10 nights, Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s festive expedition seeks to raise vital funds for local charities. Visiting various destinations across Chelmsford in the lead up to Christmas, Santa’s Sleigh will be bringing Christmas cheer to Beaulieu and the Chelmsford Garden Community, Springfield, Boreham, Howe Street, Ford End, and the Walthams.
Fundraising for The Children’s Society East (Hidden Harm) – a fantastic organisation that works with young people across Essex who live with parents with drug or alcohol addiction, or parental or carer mental health issues – as well as other local charities, the tour will be visiting: Armistice Avenue, Wright Crescent, Ben Wilson Link (3rd December), Centenary Way, Linge Avenue, Regiment Gate (5th December), Boreham: Butterfield Road Shops, Butterfield Road area, Orchard Way, Orchard Plaza (12th December), Albatross Way, Lower Wimbush Rd, Belfrey Crescent, St Andrews Drive, Channels Drive, Brassie Wood, Mashie Link, Fairway Drive (13th December), Sainsbury’s Superstore White Hart Lane (14th December), Ford End (15th December), Centenary Way, Wilfred Waterman Way, Robert Finch Crescent, Minns Avenue (18th December), Goldenacres, Stablecroft, Paddock Drive, Trenchard Crescent, Mountbatten Way, Daffodil Way, Hunters Way, Martingale (19th December) before then completing the tour at Morrisons Superstore Regiment Business Park (21st December). Full details of the dates and destinations can also be found on Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s website and social media. (www.mildmayrotary.org.uk). Routes may change depending on weather and other unforeseen circumstances so look out for daily updates which will include how to track Santa Sleigh each evening.
Val Chiswell, President of Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary, said: “I am so pleased that the Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford Councillor Susan Sullivan and her Consort John Pioli joined us at the Beaulieu Community Centre on the evening of 3rd December to wave off Santa and his elves on the first tour of the year, making it a very special occasion. The tours are now underway and continue until 21st December. I am looking forward to helping Santa take his sleigh around the streets of Chelmsford and seeing as many children and adults as possible to raise money for local charities. Many thanks to all who support us and in particular Beaulieu in Chelmsford for sponsoring us.”
Martin Leach, Managing Director, Major Projects, Countryside, said: “We’re proud to support Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s Christmas initiatives for the third year in a row. Their dedication to fundraising and community projects makes a real difference locally. Christmas is a wonderful time to give back, and we encourage anyone who can to contribute, as all proceeds benefit important causes in the area”
Adam Simpson, Director of Project Management and Development at L&Q, said: “This is my favourite time of year at Beaulieu. It is a privilege to witness the community coming together to celebrate the Christmas and we are honoured to be able to support this event and the important fundraising initiative behind it.”
Councillor Susan Sullivan, Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford, said: “Thank you for inviting me and my Consort John Pioli to wave off Santa on his sleigh last Tuesday evening. We enjoyed meeting you all and hearing about this year’s valuable fundraising for The Children’s Society East, the Wilderness Foundation, and other local charities. We wish Santa all the best as he tours the streets of Beaulieu and the Chelmsford Garden Community, Springfield, Boreham, Howe Street, Ford End, and the Walthams during December.”
