Christmas in Moray: Rotary Club organises Santa's safe sleigh tour of Forres and Kinloss
DESPITE the Covid-19-related organisational challenges this year, Santa Claus is coming to town!
Rotary Club of Forres has ensured that the traditional sleigh tour of Forres and Kinloss is going ahead, with appropriate social distancing measures in place.
Rotary president Tanya McLaren confirmed Santa cannot meet the children on his sleigh but he will give them a wave during collections for local charities.
She said: "Forres Rotary is delighted to be able to bring a bit of festive cheer to the streets again and we look forward to seeing you all.
"Please maintain your distance but give generously to our Just giving page or to our socially distanced collectors."
Rotary winter activities coordinator Andy Wardley and his team completed a risk assessment and devised the plan to enable the tour to go ahead, albeit it with some changes.
Collectors cannot go door-to-door but masked volunteers will walk alongside the sleigh with collection buckets.
The Rotary Club of Forres' page for online donations can be found by typing "Forres Santa" into the search box on the JustGiving.com website.
QR codes on the side of the sleigh will also be available to read contributors's mobiles should they wish to link them directly to the page for donation.
Santa's sleigh will set off each evening at 5.45pm, making stops until 8pm.
It will start at Kinloss on Monday, December 14, moving through Northside, Burnside, Southside and Muirton.
On Tuesday, December 15 it will begin at the Victoria Hotel before travelling through Robertson Place, Pilmuir, Councillor's Walk, Bailies Road, Albert Street, Orchard Road and Castle Street.
On Wednesday, December 16 the sleigh team will meet at Forres Health and Care Centre before moving from Grant Drive to Twinning Link, Knockomie Rise to Cumiskie Crescent, to Forres Dental Care finishing at Knockomie Gardens.
On Thursday, December 17 the sleigh will start at Forres Health and Care Centre, go to Mannachie and Knockomie, along Newton Road and stop at Allan Drive.
On Friday, December 18, Santa will start at Dicksons of Forres Body Shop then make his way through Thornhill Crescent, Fleurs, Macdonald Drive and Anderson Crescent.
On Monday, December 21 he will start on Bogton Road, heading up Croft Road to Drumduan Park then Forbeshill.
On Tuesday, December 22 the sleigh team will meet at Garrow Brothers garage before covering Sanquhar, heading up St Leonard's Road and finishing at Brewster Drive.
There will be another chance to see Santa at Tesco car park on December 23, however this is still to be confirmed.
Anyone wishing to help should contact the Rotary Club of Forres Facebook page.
