FATHER Christmas visited Holsworthy’s late night shopping and Christmas lights switch on, on Friday, December 2, to distribute presents supplied by the Rotary Club.

Whilst visiting the event in Holsworthy, Father Christmas distributed presents, provided by Holsworthy Rotary Club, to more than 160 children from his grotto, provided by courtesy of NatWest Bank.

Sweets, mince pies and drinks were available for young and old by the kind efforts of the bank staff. Thanks were expressed to the NatWest Bank, from the Rotary Club, for their generous seasonal hospitality.

By the end of this calendar year Holsworthy Rotary Club will have donated, or pledged, a total of £7,495 to support local, national and international charities, disaster aid and worthy causes.

Major donations included £1,305 to the Rotary Foundation supporting national and international projects, £1,000 to support the provision of defibrillators locally, £665 to Children’s Hospice South West, £1,250 to the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, £500 to Favela Phoenix for work in poor areas of Rio de Janeiro, £300 for the local Carewise drop-in centre, £250 for Holsworthy and Rural Community Action Through Sport, with the remainder being donated to local active groups in the community.