Santa's Wanstead tour visit raises £1,500 for schools

Santa Comes to Wanstead, Gordon Road, Spratt Hall Road & Wanstead Place, despite Covid-19 and heavy rain. Steve the Milkman in the driving seat. (Image: Melissa Page)

Santa Comes to Wanstead, Gordon Road, Spratt Hall Road & Wanstead Place, despite Covid-19 and heavy rain. (Image: Melissa Page)

Santa Claus (represented by Dennis Weeks from North London Loft Rooms, shhh don't tell the kids) rode through town on Wednesday, December 16 atop the festive Parker Dairies milk float driven by elf Steve Hayden.

Oge with her daughters Juliana 5 (left) and Sophia 3 (right) (Image: Melissa Page)

Sleigh being packed with toys so Santa visits Wanstead child

Santa Comes to Wanstead, Gordon Road, Spratt Hall Road & Wanstead Place, despite Covid-19 and heavy rain. Father Christmas chats to elves, organisers and helpers. (Image: Melissa Page)

Wanstead Church School Year 6 mums Marie Reid, Yvonne Smith, Mary Richardson and Chloe Longstaff were all drenched in the rain on elf duty as the float snaked its way through the streets but they managed to raise £1,500 for five schools in the area.

Santa Comes to Wanstead, Gordon Road, Spratt Hall Road & Wanstead Place, despite Covid-19 and heavy rain. (Image: Melissa Page)

The Wanstead Community Hub Facebook page became a live Santa tracker with people posting whenever there was a sighting of the big man.

Parker Dairies milkfloat decked out with festive decorations (Image: Melissa Page)

Elaine Thompson said the event brought some much-needed Christmas cheer in the time of corona.

The online donations page is still open for anyone who wants to contribute.