SANTA’S sleigh is back and all set for its annual tour of the streets of Halesowen and Rowley Regis bringing festive cheer to hundreds of youngsters.

The familiar jingle of festive bells will be returning from next week thanks to local Rotarians.

Members of The Rotary Club of Halesowen and Rowley Regis and volunteers will be taking their sleigh out and about in December as children gear up for some pre-Christmas excitement – all in the name of fundraising.

It will mark a return to the area for the traditional charity sleigh, after the pandemic put the brakes on fundraising last year.

The rotary hopes to raise around £7k towards the projected £100k raised across the Heart of England Rotary region by the traditional sleigh run initiative.

And this year – in line with continuing Covid precautions - more ways to donate have been introduced, including contactless payments, mobile phone texts and VR codes, as a form of donation.

Heart of England Rotary spokesperson, Colin Winstone, said: “Our Rotary clubs have been helping Father Christmas raise funds to support those less fortunate by means of his sleigh runs for over 25 years all across the West Midlands.

"Now a firm favourite with local residents, the sound of the sleigh arriving excites children and adults alike.

“The proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s chosen local community charities, including foodbanks, toy boxes, children’s parties, supporting the elderly, winter warmth projects and many more."

Anyone who is not able to see Father Christmas on the day but who would like to donate, can also do so by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/rotary-halesowen-rowleyregis

The local routes are as follows. . .

Wednesday December 1: 6-8pm Crendon Road.

Thursday December 2: 6-8pm Lodgefield Road.

Tuesday December 7: 6-8pm Buckingham Road.

Wednesday December 8: 6-8pm Squirrels estate.

Tuesday December 14: 6-8pm Timbertree estate.

Wednesday December 15: 6-8pm Whittingham Road.

Tuesday December 21: 6-8pm Huntlands Estate.

The sleigh can also be found at the following static sites:

Kings Reach Estate (with a food bank van for collections) between 1-4pm on Saturday, December 4.

B&Q Halesowen, 10am-4pm on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19.

TESCO, Cradley Heath, 4-8pm on December 3, 10 and 17.

Sainsbury’s, Blackheath, 4-6pm on December 9 and 16.

Thornhill Road Shops, 4-7pm on December 22.

Vine Pub Lyde Green, on December 23.