A COMMUNITY group have brought Christmas cheer to Prestwick after their Hallowe’en event was axed by the council.

Kind volunteers were able to bring Santa to the streets of Marchburn to the delight of local children.

The group arranged the Santa Walk in aid of a church foodbank.

Supermarket worker Jock Mackie, 52, stepped into the role as Santa as they devised a plan to spread festive joy in the community after a challenging year.

On the evening of Monday, December 14 the streets were illuminated by a van decorated in lights as Christmas classics blared out from speakers.

Jock told the Advertiser: “It used to happen about 20 years ago. I can remember being a kid and seeing Santa come through Marchburn it was fantastic.

“I thought, ‘why we don’t try and do something like that’, and I got railroaded into being Santa.”

Hundreds of donations were collected with families loading up bags of food and treats to go to Christ In Action Foodbank based at Monkton and Prestwick North church.

Jock was also backed by work colleagues at Sainsburys in Prestwick who filled a shopping trolley full of gifts for the foodbank which supports those living in hostels.

He said: “We weren’t expecting that much during such difficult times.

“I couldn’t believe the generosity of people after such a tough year, people were coming out with bags full of tins and food.

“My work really got behind it as well by providing gifts and hand soaps, it will all really make a difference.”

He added: “We were all just buzzing after it, to see the excitement in the kids faces made it all worth it.

“My granddaughter was there as well and she is only two. It was magic to see her so happy.”