Date: 29th November, 2024
Firefighters from Westlea fire station will once again be out and about in the Swindon area during December, helping Santa visit local streets in a vintage fire engine.
Supported by family members and other volunteers, the crews will accompany Father Christmas as he collects donations for the Fire Fighters Charity whilst atop a 1943 turntable ladder fire appliance. They will also provide sweets to local children and Christmas carols will be playing!
This year, Santa will visit Westlea on Thursday 5 December; Eastleaze and Shaw on Wednesday 11 December; Grange Park on Sunday 15 December; and Sparcells, Peatmoor and Ridgeway Farm on Sunday 22 December. The approximate timings for all four evenings will be 5.30pm to 8pm – just listen out for him!
Full details of the route for each day will be published on the Westlea fire station Facebook page nearer the time – www.facebook.com/DWFRSWestleaFireStation
Group Manager Dave Slawinski said: “This is the 25th year of our Santa float visiting communities in Swindon, and we are incredibly proud of the money we have raised for the Fire Fighters Charity over that time – in excess of £60,000!
“As always, we are very grateful to Audrey Wannell and her family for their continued support of our fundraising by loaning us their vintage appliance. We look forward to seeing lots of families over the four nights, and hope to raise even more funds for the Charity.”
Westlea fire station will also be holding a festive open day on Saturday 14 December, so save the date!
The Fire Fighters Charity provides help to serving and retired personnel, and their dependants, through the provision of recuperative facilities, rehabilitation, therapy and mental health support, as well as giving financial assistance to those who need it.
The charity works with some 10,000 beneficiaries every year at a cost of £12 million per annum, and these services are financed almost exclusively by fundraising. More information can be found at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk