Gosport set for Covid-safe Christmas sleigh touring town over 22 days

But this year a kind-hearted pensioner dressed as St Nick will be backed up by Covid marshals as he makes his way around Gosport over 22 days.

In previous years the Gosportarians’ Christmas Sleigh has gone from house to house, and school to school, spreading joy.

Due to the current pandemic and the cancellation of many events this year, it was not clear whether the event would go ahead.

But the community group founder’s Malcolm Dent, 71, has carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment to ensure everyone complies with the rules on the festive travels.

This includes five Covid marshals accompanying him near the 14ft sleigh from December 2, following a set route.

Mum-of-11 Lianne Snook, 41, Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham said her children ‘loved’ seeing the Gosportarians’ sleigh in action last year.

She said: ‘To take the children to see Santa on his sleigh would make them light up.

‘They need the magic put back in their lives after the horrific year they’ve had.

‘They have seen this one before, they loved every second of it.’

The sleigh will make its usual visits to schools and nurseries during the day and through the streets in the evening.

Malcolm said: ‘I have been inundated with support from people wanting to help out.

‘I have had to recruit five Covid marshals for each trip to make sure that people are observing the social distancing so the extra offers of help have been appreciated.

‘We are excited to be able to do it this year. I feel great knowing that people will get to have a good time - the children love it. The light-up reindeer is ready to go.’

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The Christmas Sleigh raised £7,000 last year. Some of this money funded material for protective kit made by Team Scrubbers, a group that sprang up in the pandemic to supply PPE for those in need.

This year Malcolm can’t knock on doors for donations and children aren’t allowed in the sleigh.

There are still opportunities for children to have photos taken with Santa, and there will be charity buckets hanging from the sleigh so people can donate.

Santa’s mapped route can be seen on the Gosportarians Facebook page.

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