RAIN is falling steadily and the moon is obscured from view on Thursday as Troon Round Table take Santa and his sleigh on the nightly tour of the neighbourhood.

At first there are just four volunteer elves who were armed with a bucket of sweets to give to the children in one hand and a bucket for donations by householders on the other, with Round Table recruits accompanying them.

Volunteers all sport high visibility jackets so they can be seen clearly during the darkest nights of the year.

At the centre of things is Santa’s sleigh, hand-crafted by the elves and Tablers last year and it’s pulled along by a Mitsubishi donated by Border Cars and driven by Mike Black.

Mike is encouraged with how things are going on what was the fifth night of the campaign, which runs until December 20.

He said: “On a really good night you can raise £400-£500 which is good total and we find everyone is very generous whatever area we are in. We cover all of Troon and also Monkton. Since our fireworks display more or less pays for itself, most of the money we raise from the Santa float goes to community groups. 

“Schools and youth groups apply to us for funding and we give that out from the Christmas event. Some of the elves are out collecting for the likes of school groups and PTA’s.”

The route sees us start in Harling Drive and then head along to St Meddan’s Street before swinging round to Morven Drive and then the top of Harling Drive - by which time there are 12 volunteers, before heading on to Golf Crescent, Willockston Road and Eglinton Crescent. By the time we reach Fullarton Drive, where drinks are laid on by Jill and Garry Burns, the snow amazingly starts to fall, which adds to the festive feeling.

The float takes dedication.

Mike added: “We are a good three hours on the run and then good after that counting the money and putting the float away. We go out every day apart from a Saturday, that allows us to have one day with our families.”

Near the end of the night, two Santa letters are also handed into the float to pass on to the big man for his urgent attention.

Elf Bernadette Young, chairwoman of the St Patrick’s Primary School Fundraising Group enjoys being involved in the Santa float.

She said: “Last year we  had £200 donated to us by the Round Table so anything we can raise this year would be good. It doesn’t matter if it’s wet, it’s about making the kids happy and getting them out to see Santa.

"This is my third year in the Santa float and I would encourage others to volunteer, support Troon Round Table and get it done. You can do as many nights as you like.”

Santa and the Elves have been inundated with requests for Christmas presents.

Bernadette added: “We have been asked for an X Box One, a scooter and PlayStation. We just say we will do our best.”

Anyone who would like to help should log on to the Troon Round Table Facebook page.