December 2018
Santa is especially happy to have had the support of the Ashford Lions and elves from local charities and organizations, raising awareness for all the good causes and work that is going on in support of our communities.
Our Santa elves and helpers in 2018 were:
- East Kent Sands
- East Stour School
- Fairlawn Residential Short Break Service
- Find a Voice
- Guide Dogs
- Home-Start Ashford & District
- National Childbirth Trust NCT, Ashford Branch
- Park Farm Playground Project
- Sk8Side
- Singleton Barn Public House
It has been a wonderful experience and Santa could not be happier with the tremendous support from all of you. A huge Thank You to you all!
Week 1: Sun. 02 – Thu. 06 December
Sun. 02 Dec. 2018
Repton Park, together with
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a British charitable organisation founded in 1934. Guide Dogs helps blind and partially sighted people across the UK through the provision of guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services.
Mon. 03 Dec. 2018
South Willesborough, together with
Home-Start Ashford & District, founded in 1988, they have a team of dedicated, experienced volunteers who provide support for families with at least one child under the age of five who may be experiencing a wide range of difficulties. Support and friendship for families in the Ashford area.
Tue. 04 Dec. 2018
Kennington Lees
Wed. 05 Dec. 2018
Knights Bridge & Hestia Way, together with
Fairlawn Residential Short Break Service offers a friendly and vibrant home from home for children and young people aged 4-18 who have disabilities. Facilities include; 7 bedrooms (some specifically adapted for physical disabilities), plenty of outdoor play areas with sandpit, swings and sensory garden, jacuzzi, soft play room, sensory room, TV lounge, friendly dining room serving good food and much more.
Thu. 06 Dec. 2018
South of Brookfield Road, together with
East Stour Primary School. They are proud of their exciting and inspiring curriculum which underpins all the learning that their children can participate in. They aim to inspire their pupils to become lifelong learners through a real passion around all of the subjects they teach. Music is a key aspect that is woven throughout the termly themes alongside their dedication to English and Maths excellence. This is reflected in their most recent statutory test results with the highest Early Years scores in the last five years and a combined KS2 SATs result well above the national average. Inclusion is at the heart of everything they do at East Stour.
Week 2: Sun. 09 – Thu. 13 December
Sun. 09 Dec. 2018
Tritton Fields, Kennington, together with
Find A Voice, registered with charity no. 1058697 in 1996 and operating from a single storey Centre in Ashford. Find A Voice supports children and adults who have a severe speech, language or communication difficulty, and who may require some form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) support. This can include signing, symbols or a communication aid. Support is provided in person, by telephone and via this website. Their vision is A world in which people with severe speech problems are able to find their voice.
Tue. 11 Dec. 2018
Bybrook
Home-Start Ashford & District, founded in 1988 and registered with charity no. 1105541, they have a team of dedicated, experienced volunteers who provide support for families with at least one child under the age of five who may be experiencing a wide range of difficulties. Support and friendship for families in the Ashford area.
Wed. 12 Dec. 2018
Beaver & Jemmett Road
NCT, National Childbirth Trust, the UK’s largest new parent support charity. The NCT Ashford branch is led by volunteers and offer local parents and parents-to-be invaluable support, services and NCT events, to help them get the most out of their new roles. NCT Ashford runs regular, seasonal family events, like the popular bi-annual Nearly New Sales, as well as a weekly Bumps and Babies group. Furthermore, they provide Baby and Child First Aid courses, in conjunction with the British Red Cross and are working closely with local NCT antenatal teachers and postnatal leaders, as well as Breastfeeding Counsellors.
Thu. 13 Dec. 2018
Godinton Park, together with
Sk8Side CIC, Youth Centre, is a Community Interest Company providing youth services in the Ashford area. They operate out of a drop-in centre located close to the Ashford Skate Park. Not just skating, BMX, Inline or Scooters, there is something for everyone aged between 8 and 19 at Sk8Side. Just have fun chilling out with friends, Video game tournaments, use of musical instruments, residential and day trips to cool locations, full Summer school holiday programmes and so much more…
Sat. 15 Dec. 2018
Static Sleigh display: Photo with Santa,
Singleton Barn, 4:30 – 6:30 pm.
Week 3: Sun. 16 – Mon. 24 December
Sun. 16 Dec. 2018
Twelve Acres & Highfield
Mon. 17 Dec. 2018
Quantock Estate, together with
East Kent Sands Losing a baby, at whatever age, or stage of pregnancy is something none of us ever think about, but sadly it affects 15 families every single day. At East Kent Sands – and indeed across the whole Sands family – they are there to give you whatever support you need, on dealing with the death of your baby, on some of the practical considerations, how best to keep your special memories and how to plan for the future, perhaps with further pregnancies. They help by talking on the phone or face to face, or by text or email – whatever suits you best.
Tue. 18 Dec. 2018
Bridgefield, together with
NCT, National Childbirth Trust, the UK’s largest new parent support charity. The NCT Ashford branch is led by volunteers and offer local parents and parents-to-be invaluable support, services and NCT events, to help them get the most out of their new roles. NCT Ashford runs regular, seasonal family events, like the popular bi-annual Nearly New Sales, as well as a weekly Bumps and Babies group. Furthermore, they provide Baby and Child First Aid courses, in conjunction with the British Red Cross and are working closely with local NCT antenatal teachers and postnatal leaders, as well as Breastfeeding Counsellors.
Wed. 19 Dec. 2018
Park Farm, together with
Park Farm Playground Project. The Park Farm Playground Project is a formally constituted community group that aims to raise money and awareness for the redesign and redevelopment of the central park on Bluebell Road, in Park Farm. The Project is made up of parents of children who have used and still continue to use the park, and in fact, one member used it as a child herself and has returned to the estate to raise her own family.
Thu. 20 Dec. 2018
Around Hythe Road, together with
Sk8Side CIC and MotiV8 provide youth services in the Ashford area. Sk8Side operate out of a drop-in centre located close to the Ashford Skate Park. Not just skating, BMX, Inline or Scooters, there is something for everyone aged between 8 and 19 at Sk8Side. Just have fun chilling out with friends, Video game tournaments, use of musical instruments, residential and day trips to cool locations, full Summer school holiday programmes and so much more…
Sat. 22 Dec. 2018
Static Sleigh display: “Photo with Santa” in the town centre, Middle Row, High Street from 3:30 – 5:30 pm in support of the Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
Mon. 24 Dec. 2018
Stanhope Ring Road for a 4:30 pm start.
Terms and Conditions. The Ashford Lions would like to let you know that we are doing our best to help Santa on his routes around our town, still, we cannot promise anything. We are a charity and dedicated volunteers. Please note that the information we give is AS IS and AS AVAILABLE. Safety and any other reasons may require us to recommend Santa to stay at home or to head back home at any time and to continue with his preparations for Christmas.
Archive: Sleigh 2017
There are many ways to contribute to our community and
volunteering is certainly one of them. Your interests and ideas are very important when considering serving your community. Also, if you already have a lot on your plate, your time will be limited and Ashford Lions are well aware of balancing commitments.
Volunteering under the umbrella of Lions International promises the highest level of service and charity conduct. For instance, all administrative costs are fully paid for by Lions and membership fees. This way, administrative costs are not deducted from public fund-raising which goes to people in need and charitable causes.
If you like what we do, for instance, the Santa Sleigh, may we invite you to reach out to us or consider to make a donation to our charity: Ashford Lions Club (CIO) with reg. charity number 1178583 in England.