Hundreds line streets as Kirkby Crusade spreads Christmas cheer
Throughout the event cheeky elves threw selection boxes to kids who lined the streets
Hundreds of people lined the streets as the Kirkby Crusade returned to spread Christmas cheer.
Men, women and children lined a number of roads in the area on Thursday, December 14, for the annual Kirkby Crusade. The crusade started as a way to keep spirits high with children after COVID-19 closed Santa's grottos in 2020.
Friends Franny Briggs, Jay Murray and Andrea Roberts turned the idea of the event into a reality and it's been an annual tradition ever since. The event has gone from strength to strength, building on the success of each year prior.
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Throughout the event, cheeky elves threw selection boxes to kids who lined the streets and enjoyed the show. Familiar faces including Father Christmas, The Grinch and Buddy the Elf, along with a range of other characters, also helped spread some Christmas spirit and made the community smile.
The event started on Headbolt Lane, where hundreds clapped and cheered as the sleigh, complete with speakers, went past. It then went onto Pingwood Lane, Hall Lane, Saxton Way, Ebony Way, Shevington's Lane, Melrose Road, Banks Lane and Windermere Drive.
The event lasted just over an hour in total and is the first night of three around the Kirkby area. The team say they expect to hand out thousands of selection boxes to children over the next two nights.
You can keep up to date with Friday and Saturday's routes by following the Kirkby Christmas Crusade's Facebook page.
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