How plumber and his pals stepped in to hand Doncaster village a festive boost after Santa blow

And so after two weeks quick-fire planning, the 40-year-old plumber this week took a Father Christmas’ sleigh around every estate in Rossington over six nights in all weathers.

“Tickhill Lions have been doing it since the 70s and they had to pull out because they couldn’t go round all the villages this year because of Covid,” he said.

"We decided to see if we could make something just for Rossington.

"I told my wife, Louise, I’d had an idea. I already had a trailer that I use with my van.

"She said I must be crazy, but I was sure we could do something, and make a Santa’s sleigh.

“I put something on social media and within a couple of hours people were asking if they could assist.”

Offers rolled in. A local cancer charity, Doncaster Cancer Support Drop-in Centre, offered a sleigh they used at events for a Santa’s grotto. Others offered to help on the day.

Tony splashed out on some lights for the sleigh, and decorated the trailer with greenery to hide the metal sides. The sleigh fitted onto the trailer, and a Christmas tree was donated and placed on the trailer. Decorations he usually placed outside his house, a penguin and a snowman, were also added to the trailer.

He bought a Santa outfit on the internet.

With a couple of speakers to allow him to play Christmas music off a phone, and a couple of hand bells to ring to let people know they were coming, he was almost good to go.

A number of volunteers completed the picture. Louise agreed to help as an elf, and keeping people up to date on social media about when they would be arriving on their streets.

Pal Derek Barwick signed up as a driver, along with his partner Sarah Armstrong, along with volunteers including Adam Hooley, Shaun Clark and Wayne Shaw.

And after two weeks preparation, they hit the streets of Rossington. Starting with the Hall View estate where Tony lives, they took the sleigh out each night, whatever the weather, to tour the whole village over six nights, starting on Wednesday February 16, and finishing up with a tour of old people’s homes on Monday December 21.

Tony said: “It’s been a fantastic team effort, and I couldn’t have done it without the others.

“We got a fantastic reception, and I think everyone was glad to have something to look forward to in the run up to Christmas.

"We kept going whatever the weather, because there were people who wanted to see us, and some nights we got pretty drenched. But it’s been magical.

"I would do it again, and if the Lions want me to next year, I’d happily do so, but I’d certainly not want to step on their toes – they’ve done this for years, and I always loved them coming round.”

The sleigh has raised £6,000 for charity, from a Just Giving page and from donations in a bucket.

The money is going to be split between Tickhill Lions and the Doncaster Cancer Support Drop-in Centre, which loaned the sleigh.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.