Preston tour for Father Christmas (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Preston tour for Father Christmas

10:58am Thursday 20th November 2008

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Father Christmas will be stepping out in true festive style when he arrives at Debenhams in Preston this Saturday and swaps his reindeer and sleigh for a festive red, soft-top, Vintage Austin Heeley.

With Christmas looming, Santa will spread festive cheer around Preston city centre as he parades around the streets in the open-top car.

Starting in Lune Street, by The Mall St George's, at 11am, Santa will take a short ride around town before arriving at Debenhams and his grotto in the childrenswear department on the top floor, where children can pay him a visit and help raise money for the NSPCC.

There will also be seasonal entertainment from All Hallows High School brass band and choir.

Ben James, graduate management trainee at Debenhams, said: “We’re all really excited about Santa coming to the store and we can’t wait to see him in his open-top car.

"Our Santa at Debenhams is always really popular with the children and it made sense for us to support the NSPCC this year and help make a difference to vulnerable children’s lives over the festive season.”

Debenhams’ chosen charity this year is the NSPCC with £1 from every ticket to visit Santa going to the children’s charity.

There will also be NSPCC volunteers collecting money and the department store will be displaying NSPCC’s Letter from Santa postcards, which is a way to add a little bit of extra sparkle to a child’s Christmas.

For a minimum donation of just £5, you can support the NSPCC by arranging for a child you know to have a special Letter From Santa delivered to their door.

Janette Drew, NSPCC community fundraising manager, said: “It will be amazing to see Santa arrive in such style and I would encourage shoppers to come out and give him a wave as he travels into town.

“We are really grateful to Debenhams for supporting the NSPCC this year.

"The money raised will make a huge difference to the lives of abused and vulnerable children during a time that isn’t always joyful for them.

"If you want to help the NSPCC over Christmas, then why not donate to our Child’s Voice Appeal which is raising money to expand our Helplines – ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline for adults. Just log on to www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk.“ The Child’s Voice Appeal aims to raise £50million over three years to counsel 500,000 more calls to ChildLine every year and develop online and text support services so children can choose how to access help.

It will also allow the NSPCC Helpline to talk to 18,000 more adults a year who have concerns about a child.

To donate to the Child’s Voice Appeal visit www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk.

To receive a Letter from Santa for a child, you can order online at www.nspcc.org.uk/santa or call 0870 325 9012.

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