🎅 Every year, Castle Point Motors and Castle Point Gas & Heating manage to book time in Father Christmas' busy schedule to ride around Benfleet and Thundersley on his sleigh to raise money for good causes.

They aim to raise as much money as possible for local community charities and put smiles on faces of local people by spreading some Christmas cheer. Last year they raised £933.65 for good causes!

I endeavour to join them and volunteer to be a helper alongside Father Christmas when I can, and it was a pleasure to help them present cheques to 2nd Thundersley Scout Group and Havens Hospices. It is fantastic to see local people, the council and businesses come together to spread some joy over the Christmas period.

While it may be a little early for some to start thinking about Christmas, the work to organise the sleigh ride - and to invite Father Christmas himself - starts months in advance. They have just heard that they have secured some time from Father Christmas again this year and will be releasing the sleigh routes and dates soon.