A ROTARY club has been able to donate nearly £7,000 to local charities after raising the cash during 2016 Santa Sleigh runs.

The Mar Dyke Valley Rotary Club presented cheques at a special celebration evening at the Langdon Hills Golf and Country Club.

Graham Dockrill, who organised Santa’s sleigh rides, said: “It’s great to generate cash but it’s also great to generate community spirit, something which is possibly as important as the money.”

“We decided a few years ago to invite local groups to come and help us on the nights and it’s great to see many of those people who helped us collect here tonight.”

“I am sure they, like us, enjoyed seeing the joy generated by the Santa Sleigh and the wonder and excitement in the eyes of the many children – and older folk – who came out to see him.”

Groups which benefitted from donations including St Lukes Hospice, which received £1,052 and a group which maintains defibrillators run by Charlotte Yoxall, which received £530, while Sarah Fisher, a Thurrock resident, received £2,090 towards a “life-changing” electrically assisted chair.

Among those who received awards of cash were Thurrock Pumas Youth FC, many of the club’s youngsters having helped on the collection. Rotarian Tony Adam presented Pumas’ Tony Clissold with a cheque for £530.

Also receiving £530 was Thurrock Community Leisure which promotes community sports participation leisure and recreation at Blackshots Leisure Centre. Rotarian Lionel Haywood presented the cheque to Jon Sleeman.

As usual at Mar Dyke Rotary events the work of local scouts groups was again recognised and Rotarian Paul Havis presented Bill Osborne of Grays First Scouts with £530 and a similar amount was presented to by Rotarian Brian Jerman to South Ockendon Scouts’ Nigel Adcock.

Members of the Move It Dance School, which provides children with opportunities to experience tap, ballet, modern, musical theatre, singing and drama will once again benefit from the sleigh run, with Rotarian Russell Keegan handing over another cheque for £530.