With records dating back to 1979, it’s a tradition at our station that the firefighters, with valued help from ex firefighters and local people, deliver parcels dressed as the great man himself on Christmas morning- all voluntary with the cost being donated to the national firefighters’ charity.
We have up to 5 Santas, 5 vans and 5 helpers leaving the station around 08:30 to deliver to young and old members of our community. The process is easy. The sender comes to the fire station on Christmas Eve between 9am – 3pm where we take the parcel and allocate it to one of our rounds. We ask for a donation of £3 per parcel.
We also have a raffle which is drawn at the end of Christmas eve where we can either deliver any win on Christmas morning or arrange collection from the station after the festive period.
We remember a true gent, the late Paul Williams, whose memory we are honouring at this time of the year as Paul dressed as Santa for many years.
We look forward to seeing old and new senders each year. Many of us who give up our time for this to happen love the fact that we are giving back the memories to others that we once had as children.
The presents are all locked away at station and are insured over night. In the past we have delivered bicycles, ironing boards even engagement rings. So we will happily deliver almost anything to anyone and everyone.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Rye Fire Station .