Santa's sleigh arrives early in Winchester to help collect food bank donations

Santa's sleigh has come a little early to Winchester this year, making a surprise appearance for an important cause.

While Santa self-isolates due to his age, his elves at the charity Winchester Round Table borrowed his sleigh to collect donations for the city's food bank.

After hearing that Winchester Basics Bank were in need of more donations due to a surge in demand following the lockdown, Winchester Round Table came up with the plan to take the sleigh out early in order to help, while bringing some joy to the local community.

  • Watch: Matt Robinson from Winchester Round Table

The word spread and many residents left donations out for the elves to collect at a safe distance.

Many families stood in doorways and looked out of their windows to see Santa's sleigh pull into their street.

Credit: ITV Meridian

It comes after the Winchester Basics Bank saw a demand for its services double in the last month.

Around 400 7-day food parcels have been sent out by the charity to those in need within that time.

  • Watch: Mike Whitehead from Winchester Basics Bank

Winchester Round Table will be using Santa's sleigh for a bit longer, as they'll be visiting different parts of the city over the next fortnight.

Find out where it's going here.

Credit: ITV Meridian