The brand new Southport Santa Sleigh has been officially unveiled!
The stunning new sleigh has been created by the talented team at EFT Group in Southport after an urgent appeal by Southport Hesketh Round Table.
Their previous sleigh, which has brought festive joy to hundreds of thousands of local families over many years, was sadly no longer fit for purpose.
EFT Group was happy to step in and create a new one for the Round Table and their famous ‘Dancing Santa’.
The new sleigh was officially unveiled at a special launch event at the EFT Group headquarters on Cobden Road in Southport, with guests invited to watch as the countdown took place before the covers were unveiled by the elves present to reveal something truly special.
Round Table volunteers are losing no time in getting it out onto the road, with this year’s Santa Sleigh tours of the Southport area beginning this Monday (1st December 2025).
Each night of the three-week float tour will be supported by a different local charity or community group, who will receive a share of the donations collected. In previous years, charitable donations have included scout packs, youth sports teams, and even Olympic hopefuls in aerobics groups.
Speaking at the launch, EFT Group Director Jordan Duggan said:
“It’s been a journey, and it’s been sensational!
“So much love has gone into this. Landmark Joinery , who supported us with the actual build-out of the sleigh itself; all of our in-house people like Nige, our head electrician, has been amazing with all the electronics; our elves, who have kindly stepped out of their engineering roles and office roles and into elfness; and everyone else here.”
Southport Hesketh Round Table have worked with Richard McNally from resonates Media to create a series of videos charting their group’s plight to their eventual rescue by EFT Group.
The old float, much-loved but no longer fit for purpose, needed retiring – and replacing.
Volunteers from the Round Table have done so much in the local community inr ecent years.
Their incredible track record includes organising events like the Southport Mad Dog 10K, BBC Children in Need’s Pudsey in Schools, and the new Beer on the Pier Festival.
They have also raised over £250,000 for families affected by last summer’s Southport tragedy.
EFT Group, known not only for their national business success but also for their charitable foundations, proved to be the perfect partner. Their commitment to supporting local causes made them a natural fit for saving Southport’s Dancing Santa and his sleigh.
Southport Hesketh Round Table said:
“Over the past few weeks, you’ve joined us for every magical chapter.
“From Chapter 1 with Mrs Claus’ heartfelt letter that started it all. To Chapter 2: Santa reminiscing on the couch, enjoying tasty festive treats and the EFT Group calling to say, ‘We can help!” – and wow, did they ever! Then to Chapter 3: Santa getting fit again with Project Phoenix Fitness bootcamp and Chapter 4 with the EFT Elves lending a hand at Landmark Joinery to build something special. And finally now… Chapter 5: The Big Reveal!
“The EFT Group Ltd unveiled our brand-new Santa Float, and it was nothing short of magical.
“Back in May, we asked for help… and EFT came to our rescue in the most incredible way.
“Their generosity means this float will spread festive joy for the next 10 years!
“Alongside EFT Group Ltd, the amazing Southport Lions Club – UK, Landmark Joinery, Resonates Media, and so many others stepped in to make this dream a reality.
“For those of us who are usually on the giving end, experiencing this level of kindness and support truly took our breath away.
“From that first meeting, we had to pinch ourselves, and the launch?
“With the sleigh, the singers, the elves, the snow machine, and the big screen showing our journey… it was unforgettable.
“This partnership isn’t just about a sleigh. It’s about community, creativity, and festive magic that will bring smiles to thousands of families across Southport (and beyond!) for years to come.
“From all of us at Southport Hesketh Round Table:
“THANK YOU.
“You’ve sleighed it.
“You’ve jingled all the way.
“You’ve made spirits bright.
“See you on the streets of Southport for three weeks in December!”
If you’d like to join Southport Hesketh Round Table or find out more about how you can support their work, please reach out via Facebook or email: southporthesketh@roundtable.org.uk
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