Crowds line Elgin streets for Santa sweets

HUNDREDS of excited youngsters lined the streets to see Santa and friends out and about in Elgin last week.

Santa spread some Christmas sparkle in Bishopmill on Thursday, December 19, and was out again in New Elgin on Friday, December 20, pulled by a lit-up, horse-pulled carriage.

During the Santa on the Streets event, helpers handed out sweets in exchange for donations to the ARCHIE Foundation and CLIC Sargent. This year’s total was the best yet – the Christmas team collected £2504 which was rounded up to £2600 by a donor.

This was the sixth year of the event hosted by Elgin-based Gregor Girls Fundraising, run by sisters Yvonne Milton and Janice Gregor, which organises two annual fundraisers for the benefit of local charities and other good causes.

Over the last four years the duo have raised more than £60,000 through two fun-filled annual fundraisers – a ladies' Handbags and Gladrags night and Santa on the Streets.

The fundraisers said: "This year the weather was kind to us and people were out waiting for us all around the routes.

"We’d like to thank all of our fantastic helpers who give up their time each year to walk 20 miles plus to bring Santa round the streets safely and also Gillian, from Carrbridge Carriage Rides, for bringing her two horses, Holly and Lola, and her lovely carriage.

"We also ran a competition for families to win a ride in the carriage with Santa."

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