Marston Green and Chelmsley Wood will get a visit from Santa

Santa visits to children in Marston Green and Chelmsley Wood, running for the past 35 years, have been saved from the axe following an online appeal.

Father Christmas was facing a sleigh crisis, putting his annual visits to children in Marston Green and Chelmsley Wood in jeopardy because the local Lions club was struggling to get hold of a vehicle to pull the sleigh.

But after an online appeal, the Marston Green and District Lions, who organise the annual event, have been inundated with offers to save the popular sleigh routes.

Local charity Midlands Search & Rescue contacted the Lions straight after seeing the appeal and several other individuals and organisations also got in touch when it was shared online.

In the end Marston Green & District Lions have accepted a generous offer from local taxi company, TC Cars, who have not only offered to provide an eight-seater minibus to tow the sleigh but are covering the insurance and fuel costs.

Lions club president Heather Lee said: “We were amazed to receive such a fantastic response to our appeal and would like to thank everybody who responded or passed on the message.

“Christmas has been saved and Santa will, once again, be visiting children of all ages in Chelmsley Wood and Marston Green between 8th – 16th December – a service we have provided for 35 years.”

Lions club community chairman Simon Moss added: “Our Christmas collection is not only a big fund raiser but is also an important community service activity so to get the offer from TC Cars means a lot to us and to the local people.

“Midlands Search and Rescue will be joining us on our Thursday collection, which will be a great help as we are always looking for volunteers.”

* Anyone who like to help out at the event can contact: 0121 681 4269.

Read more: http://www.solihullnews.net/news/local-news/marston-green-visit-santa-8083308