Happy faces in Hartlepool as Santa makes early visit to over 150 excited children

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Youngsters’ faces lit up when Father Christmas and his helpers knocked on their door to deliver small presents on Sunday.

It was all thanks to the people at Joel D Kerr Funeral Directors who toured the town in a limo calling at families’ houses who responded to an appeal on social media.

In keeping with these troubled times, the event was socially distanced and brought some much-needed festive cheer to many.

The socially distanced Santa Run by Joel D Kerr Funeral Services was a big hit with families in Hartlepool.

Joel Kerr explained: “We were going to donate some chocolates to a couple of charities and thought ‘why don’t we go out and see the kids that can’t go to grottos this year?’

“It was absolutely brilliant. They’re faces were a peach. They were in awe because there’s Santa at the door.

"We were singing carols and kids were at windows shouting and waving.

"It was just a bit of Christmas cheer for them under these Covid circumstances.”

Santa and Elf Les Watts brought a smile to these three boys.

Hartlepool boy's amazing Christmas card design proves a hit - and is going out t...

The team, also including elf office manager Les Watts and funeral operative Mark Gale, were on the road for almost nine hours touring the town from Greatham, Seaton Carew and the Fens to Rift House and ending on the Headland.

More than 150 excited children received hand delivered sweets on their doorsteps.

The team heralded their arrival in streets by ringing a hand bell drawing the attention of other children who were also given a present so as not to be left out.

Smiles all round on this family's doorstep with an early visit by Santa.

Les said: "It was a tremendous effort. We went round the full town and were out from 1pm to 9.30pm.

“We put it on Facebook and were only going to do about 50 kids but the response was absolutely amazing.

"It was so worth it just to see the little kids’ faces in these times.”

The day also raised about £700 for Alice House Hospice as the team took collection buckets around with them.

Here he comes. Santa and his elf visit another Hartlepool family.

The hospice has seen its fundraising severely affected by this year’s pandemic and is trying to fill a shortfall estimated to be £1.5 million.

People can donate to the hospice’s Covid-19 Appeal at JustGiving.

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