THE 17th Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride was launched recently, with a reception at Rowallane Gardens, Saintfield, kindly hosted by The National Trust. The sunny afternoon was attended by ride supporters, sponsors and press, including many well-known faces from the local equestrian community.

The Santa ride, as it is known, has been a much-anticipated Christmas activity for many from Co Down and beyond over the past 16 years and has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

Founder and organiser of the ride, Joan Cunningham said: “It originally started in 2007 to help raise funds for Ugandan orphans, whose parents had either died from AIDS or had been murdered. Rock Ministries NI Trust brought the Mwamba Children’s Choir, made up of Ugandan orphans, to Saintfield in 2007 and again in 2009.

They sang and danced in the middle of Saintfield town and won the hearts of everyone who was at the Santa Ride on both occasions.

“Although Rock Ministries retired about three years ago, one of the members of the Mwamba Choir, Pius Kulama, who was only a child in 2007, is determined to help his people in the village where he was born by creating a model village, where their lives will be transformed, giving them a much better and fulfilling life and we at the Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride are determined to help him in every way we can to fulfil his dream.”

This year’s ride is set to take place on Saturday, December 2nd, with participating Santas meeting at Andrews’ yard, 50 Lisburn Road, Saintfield, for a mulled wine and mince pie reception, to be mounted and ready to set off at 12 noon. The ‘Real Santa’ will be transported in Angelo Kane’s magnificent horse-drawn carriage.

It isn’t just the riders who look forward to the spectacle of scores of Santas in Saintfield, crowds of well-wishers gather on the street every year to experience this festive event. While they wait for the Santas to arrive, they will be entertained by Ulster Radio’s Hugo Duncan, Boxcar Brian and Gerard Dornan, with Christmas tunes and lots of ‘craic’!

Santa’s carriage will lead the ride up the main street at around 1.15pm, where they will stop at the Christmas Tree. Santa will meet and greet the children before heading back to Andrews’ yard.

For anyone wishing to participate, the route is around four miles long – although children on lead rein can join in along the route. Please make sure you have your own insurance. Entries can now be made online at www.saintfieldhorseshow/charityride or by clicking the link on the Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride Facebook page. The cost is £20 for adults and £10 for children, including the mulled wine and mince pie reception. Enquiries to Joan Cunningham, Tel: +44 (0) 7775 860744 or email: joancunningham1@gmail.com