By Isle of Wight Observer
Santa’s sleigh has raised more than £5,000 for Island charities following this year’s IW Round Table Sleigh Runs.
The annual event, run in association with WightFibre, raised £5,134 for two local causes. Round Table volunteers accompanied Santa through fourteen towns and villages, as well as visiting Vecta House Care Home and The Way Forward Project. The sleigh also took part in the Newport Christmas Carnival.
Along the route, Santa made stops at The Anchor in Cowes, The Bargeman’s Rest and The Correo Lounge in Newport, helping to spread festive cheer and raise funds.
Half of the money collected has been donated to The Daisy Ring Bus, a local charity that has taken over from the original Daisy buses transporting Island patients to Southampton General Hospital and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth after Wessex Cancer Care withdrew their support for the buses. The remaining funds were donated to Daisychains IW, which supports Island children and their families.
Mike Blake, chairman of the IW Round Table, thanked WightFibre for its support, saying the partnership had helped raise the funds and bring smiles to children across the Island. He also thanked members of the public who donated during the runs.
Deon Redpath, marketing director at WightFibre, said the company was pleased to help support the two charities.
Representatives from both Daisychains IW and The Daisy Ring Bus also expressed their thanks to the Round Table and supporters for helping them continue their work.
The IW Round Table is part of a worldwide network of clubs focused on friendship, fundraising and community involvement.
