FOLLOWING the humongous success of his cruises around the town last year, Andover’s very own Santa will be returning this December.

The event, launched during lockdown to help bring festive cheer to residents, was met with a flood of happy faces, leading the team of Santa’s helpers behind the idea to revive it for 2021 - but even bigger and better.

Santa will be travelling around Andover in his sleigh on December 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 19.

And this year, lifting of restrictions means the team are able to collect on the nights and have chosen to support the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.

At a launch event at the hospice on Friday (September 24), one of the team, Kevin Rush, said: “The main difference is that we will be able to do collections, and we want to try and get as much as we can.

“Personally, when I was growing up, my mum was in a very similar set-up [to the hospice] in Kent. I have come across so many people who have got stories linked to this hospice. It’s very central to Andover and it plays a big role in the town. It does an unbelievable amount of stuff and we want to help keep that happening.”

The routes have been slightly altered, so that the team can maximise the number of streets covered. They are also hoping to do something the weekend before, where Santa parks up and is static, so people can donate in exchange for a photo with Santa and the sleigh.

“If you can donate anything, then brilliant, but the money is a bonus,” said Kevin.

“Last year was unbelievable. It was quite an emotional few nights. We are already looking forward to it, just for that reaction.

“We got a lot of comments l;ast year, and some of the areas really got into it! Picket Twenty did events during the day and all the kids had things they had been making when we saw then in the evening. That’s what it’s all about, that community and festive spirit.”

TVBC leader Cllr Phil North, who attended the launch event, added: “It’s fantastic. Because it brings the whole community together at Christmas. It enables every child to see Santa at Christmas.”

Sarah McGaughey, clinical matron at the Countess of Breckock Hospice, expressed her sincere thanks to the team for choosing them as their charity.

She told the Advertiser: “We are so excited. These guys have helped us so much in the past, and everything everybody does for us is amazing.

“We rely so much on it, and every single penny is used by the charity to help patients and their families in the clinical setting.”

Since last year, the organising team behind Andover’s Santa Cruises - made up of Kevin Rush, Aimee Carlier, Paul Whitewick and Rebecca Whitewick - has formed a non-profit unincorporated association called Andover Community Events (ACE).

The group of friends hope the brand new umbrella organisation will help them to continue putting on events which support local causes throughout the year.

For more information about Andover’s Santa Cruises, including being one of the first to know his routes, visit: https://www.facebook.com/Santa-Claus-is-Coming-to-Andover-Town-110158280915644