A POPULAR Santa fundraising sleigh looks set to have made its last round after organisers called time after one final money-gathering fling for a good cause. 

Stanford and Corringham carnival committee have operated a sleigh around streets in Stanford for the past couple of years, in addition to more than than two decades of fundraising through the carnival but this year's effort, which raised more than £2,000 looks set to be the last. 

Powerhouses behind the fundraising have been Dave and Cherie Sergeant, who also ran the Stanford carnival before announcing it was time to retire this year. 

Now Father Time has also called on Father Christmas.

Cherie says: "We would like to thank the residents of Stanford and Corringham for all your support over the last 20 years with the  carnival procession, fun days on the field and latterly, over a couple of years with Santa on his sleigh.

"This year Santa raised £2, 010.61 for Little Havens and we hope most of you enjoyed it."

However, there was some comment on social media about the Santa runs and organisers found themselves under fire when not all the promised routes were fulfilled. 

Cherie says: "For the people that found fault with Santa we feel we can't have children crying for hours as they missed Santa, so the committee decided on a majority decision to not do it anymore. 

"This event costs a lot of money to put on, our chairman pays for all the fuel cost and the vice chairman pays for all the sweets which Santa gives the children.

"This is normally about 100 bags a night, therefore all the time and effort to get Santa's float ready and then to be criticised - we feel enough is enough.

"Apologies to every one who did support Santa, but with the lack of volunteers to collect, we are always relying on family and friends. Before the event we have people promising to help but often they let us down when the event starts, so it is with heavy heart we have decided to call it a day.

"Once again a big thank you to the people who did support this event and to all the people that did turn up to collect and make this event possible. 

"It has been lovely volunteering with all these lovely people for the past couple of years, truly a blessing and thank you all again for helping to support us and keep us floating at our Santa routes and at our carnivals. 

"Thank you all and wishing you all a very very merry Christmas."

The demise of the carnival Santa is a follow-on blow to the area's Christmas festivities. 

Stanford and Corringham Rotary Club also used to run a sleigh, but that ended when the club folded a couple of years ago. The carnival tried to fill the breach but ultimately it has ended in tears.

This year's donation will be handed over at a social event in April.