For over 50 years, including during the recent pandemic, the Rotary Formby Carol Wagon has toured Formby Streets, visited local schools and nursing homes, and raised thousands of pounds donated to charity. Generations of children and grandchildren have had the joy of dashing out to see Santa as he rolls along spreading Christmas cheer. Santa also used his Carol Wagon to visit many other Christmas events in our village including the Christmas lights switch on and Christmas Fairs. Santa also visited nursing homes, schools and special schools enabling pupils to meet with Santa in a familiar space. But the ageing Carol Wagon now needs major repairs, we need your help to keep this Formby tradition alive for future generations of children and to continue supporting local charities.

What we'll deliver:

• A fully refurbished and eco friendly carol wagon.
• A major source of fundraising for Formby Rotary, donated to local charities
• A major source of fundraising enabling Formby Rotary to support community projects
• Continue tradition of visiting schools, special schools, nursing homes
• Support seasonal community events in Formby Village

Why it's a great idea:

To continue to support local charities, including our Hospices, Foodbanks, and self help groups such as cancer support groups. To continue to support local education projects such as The Little Red Box, delivering personal hygiene products and education to girls at local schools. To support environment projects such as the pupils gardening project at Formby High, planting projects at Deansgate Lane Playing Fields and others To support local businesses by enhancing the areas around them with planters/benches/Christmas lights To providing volunteers to help other organisations such as the Village Lights Switch on, Churches Together etc. To spread festive cheer to local schools, special schools and nursing homes, with no one excluded To sponsor students to participate in Rotary International RYLA awards scheme to promote individual development To support Rotary International Polio Awareness Campaign

Steps to get it done:

• Take delivery of the refurbished Carol Wagon mid November and pay for restoration
• Test Run
• Transporting Santa to Formby Christmas Lights Switch on!
• Begin the task of driving the streets of Formby
• Begin visiting schools and nursing homes

Formby Rotary has a longstanding track record of delivering funds, and support within our local community. We are appealing for funds to help us continue this tradition. The projects we support are varied, they deliver food and support to the homeless, support for those living on their own or in isolation, materials to help children be hands on in in caring for their environment. One of our most recent donations was to the Ladies Team at Formby Community Football Club, promoting sport for all. We supported Kids Out (Bootle) to get all of their kids to the cinema and Southport Soup Kitchen and Food Bank. All the projects are varied but make a real difference throughout Sefton. We are committed to continuing this work.