Santa's sleigh in top condition thanks to Army engineers

By Barrie Hudson - 5 December 2023

Charity
  • From left: Rotary President RWB Town Club Harry McLaughlin, Staff Sergeant Rob Hollis, President Elect Rotary Club RWB & District Linda Locke, Rudolph, Santa (substitute) Rotarian RWB & District Bob Vaughan, Rotary President RWB & District Ray Sanderson and Commandant DSEME Paul Johnson

    From left: Rotary President RWB Town Club Harry McLaughlin, Staff Sergeant Rob Hollis, President Elect Rotary Club RWB & District Linda Locke, Rudolph, Santa (substitute) Rotarian RWB & District Bob Vaughan, Rotary President RWB & District Ray Sanderson and Commandant DSEME Paul Johnson

REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) from MOD Lyneham have ensured Santa's sleigh is ready for this year's workload.

The sleigh used by Rotary's Royal Wootton Bassett and District and Royal Wootton Bassett Town clubs has been vital for many years in fundraise for local charities before Christmas. 

Over the years, repairs were carried out but it came to need a major renovation. 

Last year Linda Locke, Club President of Royal Wootton Bassett & District, asked Head of Establishment MOD Lyneham and 

Commandant DSEME Col Paul Johnson - a newly appointed honorary member of the Club - if it were possible for some of the personnel under his command to help out. 

He gladly offered assistance from his team, and through Major Chris Marsh and Staff Sergeant Robert Hollis, the work began in their spare time to bring the sleigh and sound system into full working order.

Rob Hollis did an outstanding job rebuilding the chassis, sound system, lights and safety features so that Santa now has many years

to continue the good work of raising funds for local charities.

Commandant DSEME, Paul Johnson said: "I am delighted that Staff Sergeant Hollis and his team have devoted their spare time and energy in doing such a superb renovation of Santa's sleigh, and I wish Santa and the Royal Wootton Bassett Rotary clubs a happy journey and every success this Christmas." 

Both Rotary clubs are extremely grateful for the help received from the REME soldiers from MOD Lyneham, and have sent a big thank you to the team and in particular Staff Sergeant Rob Hollis.

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