The Penrith Santa Truck will be back spreading cheer for the third consecutive year this Christmas Eve.
Local businesses have teamed up with Santa to travel around Jamisontown, South Penrith and Cranebrook to deliver some goodies to the community.
Organiser Kate Clarke brought back the initiative after doing it over a decade ago with friends to lift spirits during the pandemic.
She never could have predicted the support she has received from a range of businesses in the area.
“We started doing it again during COVID and it has exceeded my expectations this year with 25 generous businesses on board who just want to give back,” Ms Clarke said.
“We have raised over $22,000 and will be driving around handing out lollies to everyone along with around 1500 gifts we have ordered through Big W for as many children as we can.”
Switching their sleigh for the Kenno’s Cranes and Transport Truck to cruise around on, Mr and Mrs Claus will be spotted around town on Saturday, December 24 with rumours of a special guest joining them as well.
“We will have stops around South Penrith and Jamisontown between Mulgoa Road, The Northern Road, Jamison Road and the M4,” she said.
“We will also be visiting the Waterside area and a few stops in Cranebrook. People can follow the ‘Penrith Santa Truck’ Facebook page where we will have the route and updates on the day, so people know where we are up to.”
Details for a special competition will also be announced on the page next week.
“We are going to give a lucky family a visit from the truck to their home along with extra special gifts for the kids,” she said.
“There will be a $250 Woolworths gift card for Mum and Dad and a Lindt gift basket, so people need to keep an eye out.”
With excitement for the tour building, Ms Clarke said they will do their best to bring smiles to everyone.
“This has been organised purely by local businesses who love their community so we hope everyone will be patient with us as we get around as we were blown away by the amount of people that came out last year,” she said.
“We will have plenty of lollies and will always finish the route, but we want to remind people that it is about the experience over the presents as we may run out.”
After another tough year, the event it set to spread some much-needed joy.
“We encourage local kids and families to come out to enjoy it,” she said.
For updates, visit http://www.bit.ly/3BewD5s.
Emily Feszczuk
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.