A FESTIVE VIP has been making his way around communities in East Lothian to help youngsters get in the Christmas mood.
Santa Claus and his sleigh have been spotted in several towns and villages, much to the delight of the county’s younger residents.
Santa made a stop in North Berwick on Friday, despite his busy schedule, to help bring festive cheer and raise funds for charity.
The event was organised by Bass Rock Community Group with support from FACE (Fight Against Cancer Edinburgh) and the Co-op to give children the chance to meet Santa.
Thanks to generous donations, Santa’s visit managed to raise £400 to be split evenly between FACE and East Lothian Foodbank.
FACE was established in 1990 and is based at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre of the Western General Hospital.
The funds raised through FACE provide the “little things” that make a difference to patients and families who have been affected by cancer.
A spokesperson for Bass Rock Community Group said: “We would like to thank FACE for lending us their Santa sleigh and all the adults and children who contributed to making it a very special night.”
They added a massive thank you to the Co-op on High Street, which provided all the refreshments for adults and children at the community centre where the sleigh ended.
Santa was also back in the town again the following day, this time courtesy of the Rotary Club of North Berwick.
In Haddington, the town’s Rotary club joined up with Santa as he took a tour of the town on Sunday evening.
Fortunately, the weather was dry but chilly as people turned out to see Santa ahead of the big day this weekend.
A spokesperson for Rotary Haddington said: “Rotary Haddington would like to thank Thomas Sherriff and Prentice Coaches Ltd along with Haddington Pipe Band members, Rotary members and friends.
“Santa is delighted with the response from everyone and wishes you all a Merry Christmas.”
Meanwhile, East Linton hosted its annual Santa tour on Sunday as he toured the village’s streets and handed out selection boxes to the children.
Santa was accompanied by his helper elves Sarah, Karen and Alison and Mrs Claus on his tour, which was organised by East Linton Lights.
Hilary White, chairperson of East Linton Lights, said: “We started taking Santa around East Linton in December 2020 as we felt the children in the village had really suffered with the Covid-19 pandemic and we wanted to cheer them all up.
“The children all received selection boxes from Santa and the babies received an angel Christmas tree decoration.
“It was a huge success so we decided to continue with it and it’s now become an East Linton tradition.
“The look on the children’s faces makes it so worthwhile.”
Santa also landed in Prestonpans on Sunday evening to bring some festive cheer and gifts to local children.
The visit was organised by Prestonpans Gala members and saw St Nick travel around the town and visit local children with a sleigh loaned by FACE.
More than 500 gifts were handed out, with children receiving an apple, orange, chocolate and candy cane.
Donations were also collected which will go to funding the upcoming children’s gala next summer.
A spokesperson for Prestonpans Gala thanked everyone for turning out and offered his gratitude to all the people who made the event possible.
He said: “Well Santa has been and gone, he’s away back to Lapland to get all the toys ready to bring back to Prestonpans.
“Tonight’s Santa Tour would not have been possible without the help and support from the following people: Mark and Jim from FACE, Prestonpans Community Council for the donation, Prasun Barnum, Stewart Anderson, the fellow gala committee members, Santa and Mrs Claus.
“Finally, you, the people of Prestonpans who came out, waved, cheered and popped a coin or two in our collection buckets.
“Thanks again for your support, everyone. May you all have a merry Christmas and a lovely prosperous New Year.”
This week, Santa was continuing his county tour with visits to Tranent, Macmerry, New Winton and Ormiston.
And Santa will have one last stop-off on Christmas Eve as he heads round Cockenzie and Port Seton for his 10th annual tour of the village.
Santa Watch returns, with the event organised by Karen and Gordon Kidd, with help from John Anderson and Stewart Mack as they look to bring festive cheer to the village.
Santa will be travelling to every street in the village with his specially decorated ‘Boatie Sleigh’ alongside Mrs Claus and his helper elves.
Children will get a chance to see Santa up close as he takes in every street in the village as he makes his final stop before delivering presents around the world.
The tour will start at 5pm at the new harbour at the Port Seton end before heading along Cockenzie High Street towards Cockenzie.
It will then go up to Ramsay’s corner shop, then turn right onto the main road past Seahorse Nursery where it will turn around at the industrial estate and back along the main road, before turning right up East Lorimer Place towards the ‘trees’.
The route will then take in all the residential areas of the village before finishing at the new harbour via South and North Seton Park and Inglis Avenue.
The full route is available on Cockenzie & Port Seton People Facebook Group, where live updates on Santa’s location will also be posted by his ‘social media elf’.
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