Southport's Christmas Light Vehicle Parade is 'Ready To Roll'

ON Sunday, 3 December 2023, the annual:- 'Southport Christmas Light Vehicle Parade' will take place. This is the biggest Christmas Vehicle Light Parade in the North West of England and is aimed at collecting toys for charities within the Sefton area, with the focus being on both Southport and Ainsdale.

This event will see the Parade snaking its way through from:- Southport's Eco Centre, to Kennilworth Road, in Ainsdale. Due to the starting location, sadly the public will be unable to view the stationary vehicles, but the route will give you many opportunities to watch it.

The event will start at 5pm, at the:- Southport Eco Centre, on the Esplanade, then it will move on to the Promenade (B5245), turning at the roundabout onto Leicester Street. The Parade will then turn at the Fire Station, on Lord Street (A565) and will head towards Liverpool along Lulworth Road, Waterloo Road, (A565) and will go past Hillside Station, Southport Rugby Club, joining Liverpool Road at the junction of the A565 and A5267. It will then progress past Birkdale Cemetery, Edda Community Arts and Library, Ainsdale Town Green, past Ainsdale St Johns Church of England Primary School School, and turn off Liverpool Road (A565) at Kennilworth Road. The Parade will finish on Kennilworth Road, between:- Stouton Road and Wentworth Close. The event is due to end at between:- 6:30pm to 7pm.

If attending, please park sensibly and not on the main route. If travelling into Southport, you should expect slight delays on the parade route and adjoining roads.

Organiser Lynette Williams said:- "We have Lights, wheels, sounds, Santa, naughty elves, candy canes, and lots of festive spirit, so please show your support. This is free to watch and for all the families of Southport, so if anyone would like to donate a gift to help then we will be collecting at an event in Formby on the 2 December 2023, at the Formby Christmas Festival 2023, at the Formby Pool, or you can drop gifts into our shopping trolleys during the Parade."

We have also been told that Sefton Council has sadly had to declined a collection licence, due to street collection rules not allowing cash buckets to be used on Sunday, on roads within Sefton.

Don't miss the Formby Christmas Festival this Saturday!

ON Saturday, 2 December 2023, the grounds of Formby Pool will be taken over by the Formby Christmas Festival.  You will discover at this event a wide range of activities for young and old, from Lego building to live music, craft stalls, and more. This is a local community event, but all are invited and it is far bigger than it sounds.  It even has a fun fair and the big man himself, Father Christmas, plus model railway rides! And that's just the start!  The event runs from 10:30am to 4pm, and will definitely get you into the Christmas spirit! More information van be found on the event's Facebook Posting.

Marie Curie urges people in Lancashire to get together to fundraise this Christmas!

THE UK's leading end of life charity Marie Curie is calling for people in Lancashire to help bring care, comfort and joy this Christmas by fundraising for its Christmas Appeal.

Marie Curie believes everyone experiencing death, dying or bereavement should be able to have the best Christmas possible which is why it is encouraging people in Lancashire to host a get-together this Christmas.

Whether it be a Christmas quiz, carol-oke session or a cosy hot chocolate morning; they will be helping to raise the much-needed funds to help Marie Curie support people facing the toughest of times this festive season.

The charity is dependent on fundraising and public donations so that Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals can provide expert hospice care, whatever the illness, in the comfort of home. Marie Curie helps people with any illness they are likely to die from including:- Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.

The money raised also funds the charity's free support line and webchat, which is available to anyone with an illness they're likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.

Over the next 5 years Marie Curie aims to double the number of people across the UK being cared for and supported in homes, its hospices and through its free information and support services.

Gina, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Lancashire, said:- "We want you to get together with your communities, whether that be friends, family, or colleagues to share some festive joy whilst raising vital funds, for a vital service. You can organise something intimate like a coffee morning or Christmas lunch or get your whole gang together for a party to show off your best festive jumpers. Christmas can be challenging for many, and we know many homes are affected by the cost of living. We appreciate every donation, of any size. For families experiencing dying, death, or bereavement, Christmas can often feel overwhelming, so we want to make sure our Hospice Care at Home and free Information and Support services are there to spread care, comfort, and joy for even more people in Lancashire this Christmas. If you are interested in fundraising for Marie Curie this festive season; whatever the idea, we'd love to hear from you!"

To find out more about how you can give care, comfort and joy this Christmas visit:- MarieCurie.Org.UK, or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Gina Hopwood on:- 07515135425 or at:- Gina.Hopwood@MrieCurie.Org.UK.

To donate to Marie Curie's Christmas Appeal, visit:- MarieCurie.Org.UK.