A ROTARY club is preparing for its biggest charity fundraising event of the year - with a little help from Santa.

Members of Northallerton Mowbray club start their Santa Sleigh collections at B&M retail store on Willowbeck Road on December 8 and follow up with further collections at the Marks & Spencer Foodhall on December 13 and Tesco supermarket on December 15.

Between store visits, Rotarians will be accompanying Santa and his sleigh on housing estates around Northallerton on the evenings of Tuesday to Thursday, December 12-14, to raise money for Rotary children’s charities and good causes.

The collections raise thousands of pounds for schemes that inspire and encourage local children, including the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Raising Aspirations, which helps under-performing students achieve their potential.

“Santa Sleigh is a real highlight of our club year and we know how much local children look forward to seeing Santa when he comes to visit them,” said club president Ian Parminter.

“It’s a wonderful week and we appeal to everyone to give generously to such a good cause.”

The itinerary for the housing estate visits - all starting at 5.45pm - is:

December 12: Vicars Croft - Valley Road - Pinfold Close - Central Drive - The Crescent - Linden Road - Greenhowsyke Lane - Patterson Crescent.

December 13: Valley Road - Trinity Gardens - Knotto Bottom Way - Newlands - Bankhead Road.

December 14: Bullamoor Road - Forest Road - Oak Grove and adjoining streets - Meadow Lane - Moor View Road - Crossbeck Road.