The Lancashire-based Chorley Group, which runs five Nissan dealerships in the North-West of England, played a key role in helping a festive charity walk raise £40,000 for a local hospice recently.
In the absence of sleighs, that are no doubt having their annual servicing before their biggest job of the year, Chorley supplied a number of Nissan vehicles to help the annual ‘Jingle All The Way’ Santa walk go smoothly.
Townstar and Primastar demonstrators acted as support vehicles carrying supplies and medical equipment, with their drivers assisting with traffic management during the event.
More than 1,400 Santas tackled a 15-mile route which took them from Chorley town centre to the top of Rivington Pike in the West Pennine Moors and back.
Local businessman and community ambassador for the hospice, Neil Hailwood, founded Jingle All The Way in 2012 in memory of a close friend’s son who passed away at a young age.
He said: “What a weekend! To think we had more than 1,400 people dress up as Santa and walk 15 miles was just incredible. The sea of red was a beautiful thing. A huge thank you to Chorley Group for supporting us.’’
A number of well-known faces could be spotted amongst the participants – including Paralympian powerlifter Olivia Broome, Britain’s Got Talent comedian Steve Royle, and Chorley-born Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle.
Awareness and support
Robson Broomhead, Corporate Centre Manager at Chorley Group, said: “The Jingle All The Way Santa walk is a fantastic fixture in Chorley’s annual calendar of events and we were delighted to be involved. It’s great that a substantial sum of money was raised for a good cause and well done to everyone who took part!”
Mick Croskery, Head of Income Generation at Derian House, said: “Thank you to every single Santa who helped us in this record-breaking Jingle all the Way for Derian House. The event has become a beloved community tradition that brings everyone together to support the hospice.’’
Chorley Group has been a Nissan franchisee since 1994, increasing its representation from a single dealership in Chorley to a multi-outlet operation with further branches in Blackpool, Burnley, Preston and Wigan.