Rode Heath Scout Group has announced the details of its popular Santa Sleigh tour around the village of Rode Heath.

The Scout Group, along with Santa's little helpers will be starting in Chapel Lane at 16:00 on Sunday, December 11th.

Last year during the ongoing Covid restrictions the Scout Group decided not to knock on doors, but instead to set up an online donation system and just carry buckets in the street for people who wanted to donate cash.

The scout group has decided that this year it will also not be knocking on doors but will have buckets for people who want to donate.

"As much as the Scout group is extremely grateful for the donations the wonderful people of Rode Heath make every year, the Santa sleigh tour is much more than just raising money," said a spokesperson.

"It is a chance for all the Scout Group members, both young and older, youth and adults to take part in what has become an annual event around the village and certainly for a lot of people, marks the start of the lead up to Christmas.

"In addition to this, we also realise that 2022 and the year that follows will be extremely challenging for many people in our village, and the thought of putting unnecessary pressure on people to donate, (or even open their front doors wasting precious heat), just doesn't feel right.

"So we want to reassure people that if they want to donate on the night, Santa's little helpers will have buckets with them.

"If you want to donate online, you can. If people can't donate, that's also fine. If they want to come outside and wave and cheer us on, great, but also if people want to wave and smile from behind windows then that's also great."

Rode Heath Scout group is also thanking all the residents of the village for their support both during this event and throughout the year.

"Additionally, we would like to thank Tom Gardner of William Beech Skip Hire Ltd for the use of the fantastic tractor we use to tow Santa's sleigh," the spokesperson added.