Despite all the odds Santa did it again. The Christmas Santa zoom meetings for Wigan’s tiny tots were great fun!! Wigan Rotary Club are delighted. The bookings to meet Father Christmas rolled in throughout December 2021 and under the difficult circumstances caused by the viruses, the club knew this alternative was just what was needed to try to raise the much needed funds.
Unfortunately we were unable to undertake any Supermarket collections or sing Carols and various restrictions regarding the operation of the Carol Float had to be put in place.

As in previous years the great Wigan people expressed their delight and pleasure. They gave thanks to us for being there for the children. One collector said “This year, more than others I have done over the years, this was very special and emotional. We did the right thing to go ahead against all the odds, it was so difficult but so worthwhile, so many grateful parents and children, it was truly a community service.” That sums it all up.

Wigan Rotary President Santi Nandi said ‘ I would like to thank all the parents, grandparents, children and friends who met Santa via Zoom or on the float. Thank you for the generosity in supporting us in this second year of the zoom venture. Along with the takings from our famous float collection this will enable Wigan Rotary Club to continue their support for local, national and international charities to which we are committed. The comments we received along the routes are heartwarming, an amazing testament to the organization put in to bring it all off”. Santi continued ‘You only have to see everyone’s faces as the float arrived in their street”.

We pulled it off and raised nearly £5000, a shadow of our former collections, but with a reduction in the number of nights on the float in dreadful weather why would anyone even open their doors? But people did. Even though there was no leafleting, no extra Santa visits to unusual venues, plus a reduction in volunteers, we can hold our heads high, feel very proud, say ‘WELL DONE’ to everyone one concerned. The Club send good wishes for the New Year to everyone