The Frome Lions and Rotary Santa float raised over £19,000 with its collections in the run up to Christmas.
“Frome – thank you for your fantastic support; you have helped us raise an amazing £19,250 for Frome deserving causes…the best ever,” reported the two clubs.
“It was only necessary to look at the happy faces of children and adults who came out on the streets during the 17 days Santa and his float came to visit in December, to realise the amazing level of love and support it has from everyone in the community.
“Mince pies and mulled wine refuelled Santa’s Elves and small street parties celebrated as the float passed by. So many letters went into Santa’s post box, some evenings it overflowed. All of those which had names and addresses were answered by the team of Santa’s post elves who were kept very very busy.
“This year, for the first time, the location of the float could be tracked continuously, and the smart new sides of the float showed everyone the Facebook page they could head for to get the tracking and donation information.
“The record breaking level of donations at over £19,000, mostly collected by the dedicated teams of bucket elves, shows the level of support for the charity work Frome Lions and Rotary Clubs do all year in the Frome area.
“The presidents of both clubs thanked the community for their generosity as well as everyone involved in the remarkable effort, adding that none of this could take place without the incredible work of Frome Town Crier, Mike Bishop and his team of drivers and safety marshals, expertly threading the oversized float thorough the tightest of spaces.
“Santa’s float and the reindeer are now having a well earned rest in their stable, but it isn’t too late to donate. Both the texting and Just Giving page are still there to receive donations. This can be done on line at www.justgiving. com/campaign/ santafrome21 or by texting SANTAFROME followed by the donation amount (no space) to 70085. So, for example, texting “SANTA FROME10” will donate £10.
