The Rotary Club of Ashby Castle has kicked the festive season with their annual Santa Sleigh runs, raising money for brilliant local causes.

Running from Thursday 27 November to Wednesday 24 December, the Ashby Rotary Club Santa Sleigh runs will be visiting roads and housing estates across Ashby, as well as surrounding villages and Ashby Christmas Market this weekend. 

This year, Ashby Rotary will be raising funds for four brilliant local charities: Staunton Harold Sailability Trust, LOROS, Bright Hope and Steps Conductive Education Centre. 

Staunton Harold Sailability Trust is a charity based at Staunton Harold Reservoir which offers sailing and waterborne activities for disabled children, young adults and older people throughout Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. 

They offer disabled people the opportunity to learn a new skill or continue sailing with adapted boats, as well as boat trips, land activities and a great support network for their families and loved ones. 

LOROS Hospice provides free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill adult patients, their family and carers across Leicestershire and Rutland. 

This includes their social work team, counselling and psychological support, a volunteer home visiting service, day hospice, wellbeing hub, bereavement support and more. 

Bright Hope in North West Leicestershire offer a range of non-clinical, therapeutic and social care services for individuals with a life limiting condition or one that leads to a reduction in quality of life, as well as offering support to their partner, carer or family. 

Bright Hope was recently awarded a Kings Award for Voluntary Service 2025. They offer Support Cafes in Ashby, Ibstock and Coalville, as well as counselling and wellness services at Bright Hope House. 

Finally, Steps Conductive Education Centre is a specialist Early Years Setting supporting families with children who have motor impairments or other conditions that affect the acquisition of motor skills. 

Based in Shepshed, Steps work to develop the skills the children need to progress and maximise their potential by working with the whole family to ensure every child gets the best start in life. 

The Ashby Rotary will have two Santas and sleighs visiting streets in Ashby, Donisthorpe, Church and Castle Gresley, Appleby Magna, Packington, Snarestone, Measham, Blackfordby, Oakthorpe and other surrounding villages. 

This is a great opportunity for little ones (and big kids) to meet Santa and donate money to support brilliant local causes. 

The full itinerary and route are below, with Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch Castle posting timings and routes ahead of each night. 

Ashby Rotary Santa Sleigh Run Route (Photo: Ashby Rotary)