Shrewsbury Severn Rotary celebrates "magnificent" festive fundraising success

Through the enduring tradition of the Tree of Light and a highly successful Santa Sleigh tour, the club has once again demonstrated the immense generosity of the Shrewsbury community.

A Quarter-Century of Remembrance: The Tree of Light

The club’s Tree of Light appeal, a staple of the local Christmas calendar for 28 years, continues to offer a meaningful way for residents to remember loved ones. This year’s campaign raised approximately £4,600 (including Gift Aid), pushing the project’s lifetime total toward a staggering quarter of a million pounds.

Club secretary Gareth Watkins credited the success to a dedicated team effort. He extended special thanks to Dyke Yaxley for their sponsorship support, which ensured minimal overhead costs, and praised volunteers Ann Watkin and Susan Wylie for their meticulous work in preparing 500 sponsorship envelopes. "The Tree of Light is a marvellous annual event," Watkins noted. "This magnificent enterprise supports vital charities and good causes right here in our local community."

Record-Breaking Sleigh Runs and Community Spirit

While the Tree of Light offered a moment of reflection, the Rotary Sleigh brought high-energy festive cheer to the streets and supermarkets of Shrewsbury. Despite a "challenging" and "exacting" month-long schedule, the campaign achieved its third-best financial result ever, bringing in donations exceeding £7,000.

President Johnathan Callwood expressed his delight at the public response, especially given the demands placed on their small team of volunteers. "We were only a small team of Santas, elves, and drivers," Callwood said. "I would like to publicly thank the Rotarians, families, and friends who stepped up to ensure every scheduled appearance was met."

The success was bolstered by corporate support and technical upgrades as local dealerships Furrows and Hatfields provided essential towing vehicles. Immediate Past President David Morris and vehicle marshal John Yeomans handled the majority of the driving duties and a new battery system and updated lighting on the sleigh were well-received by the public, ensuring Santa remained bright and visible throughout December.

Looking Ahead to 2026

While the club celebrates these totals, the focus is already shifting to the future. Plans are underway for further sleigh refurbishments—including work on Rudolph—to make the 2026 campaign even more attractive. However, President Callwood issued a call for new members and volunteers to help manage the "huge workload" of future tours.

Beneficiaries of the latest Tree of Light and Sleigh campaigns will be announced in the coming weeks, ensuring that the generosity of Shrewsbury residents directly impacts those in need throughout the new year.