The Rotary Club of Altrincham have presented a certificate to staff at Rackhams House of Fraser in thanks for hosting Altrincham Rotary Club Santa in December to help raise money for local causes.

The store provided a grotto in their first floor restaurant which had families and children queuing.

The occasion was also filmed to help promote Altrincham to be used in the future and was helped by funding from Altrincham Unlimited, a one-stop shop for any information about Altrincham town centre.

Store manager at Rackhams House of Fraser, Andy Toth said: “I am delighted that the store was able to support Altrincham Rotary Club in bringing Santa to House of Fraser – it is such a magical time of year for little kids and big kids alike. To see so many happy, excited children queue to see the man himself, keeps the dream alive.”

Santa was also seen in Wilkos, The House bar/restaurant, Cheshire Tap, Kings Court and Tesco Altrincham over a four week period.

The club money raised over £4000 for local causes and to help the ENDpolio campaign that Rotary International have been running since 1979 to provide millions of pounds to help vaccinate over 2.5 billion children worldwide. This is now in its final phases with just two countries left from over 150.

Organiser Ken Garrity from the Altrincham Rotary Club said: “It was a pleasure for members of Altrincham Rotary Club to bring Santa to Altrincham during the festive period. It was a delight to see the many happy faces of the children and parents full of anticipation who queued to see him. Bringing him to several locations throughout Altrincham gave as many people as possible chance to have that quiet word with the man. Santa was kept busy, he even participated in the Lights Switch in the Stamford Quarter and waved off the Lantern Parade from Goose Green on its way around the town centre.”