Santa hauls in £2,750

The fund-raising attraction proved very popular with more than 2,750 being collected for local charities and appeals.

This was a very successful Christmas for the club which raised a further 1,400 through a Supermarket Dash raffle at Somerfield. Some of this money will fund the prizes.

Winner was Mr Giles of Framfield Road, Uckfield, who should be carrying out his dash on Sunday morning. Taking the second prize of vouchers worth 50 was Mr Gibbons of Pipers Field, Uckfield, and taking the third prize of vouchers worth 25 was Mrs Gill from Lower Berwick.

Lions Club treasurer Paul Ireland said they had raised far more money through Santa and his sleigh than they had ever expected and a meeting was planned to decide how it should be spent in a way to most benefit the community.

The sleigh visited Uckfield estates and Framfield, Buxted and Maresfield. 'People were waiting for us because we put signs out in advance of our visits and the children especially were really pleased to see us. As Lions we all enjoyed it too,' said Mr Ireland.

Barry Horsman organised the sleigh tour while Graham Russell organised the Supermarket Dash raffle.

Mr Ireland said they were grateful to everybody for their support during the two events, particularly the manager and staff at Somerfield, Uckfield.