Santa Sleigh Runs

This page will give access to detailed information on our Santa Sleigh runs, especially for anyone considering volunteering for any of the Santa Sleigh Runs.

In 2025, we hope to do runs on Saturday 29th November, Saturday 6th December, Saturday 13th December and Saturday 20th December.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are new to volunteering with Ammanford Lions Club you might be daunted by everything that’s involved. Please don’t be!
There will ALWAYS be someone with you who has been involved with the Santa Sleigh Runs before to offer guidance and support. We promise you’ll love it!

Details of the Four Different Routes Involved with our Sleigh Runs.

Route Number	Image Used on Facebook	Access to Detailed Documents
No 1: Betws, Glanamman, Twyn		Detailed list of Road Names for Route 1. Route 1 as Maps.
No 2: GCG, Cwmgors, Garnant		Detailed list of Road Names for Route 2. Route 2 as Maps
No 3: Llandybie, Penygroes, Saron		Detailed list of Road Names for Route 3. Route 3 as Maps.
No 4: Ammanford, Pantyffynnon, Ammanford		Detailed list of Road Names for Route 4. Route 4 as Maps.

We usually start each run at about 4pm. Each run takes between 4 and 5 hours. This does depend on how many people come out to see Santa. For instance, in 2024, we combined routes 3 and 4 because bad weather meant we ran out of days and that double run only took 5 hours 15 minutes. However, not so many people came out along the route and it was possible that word had not got out about the change.

When touring the streets, the driver and front passenger keep an eye out for people standing by the side of the road as an indication to stop. We ask people to be as visible as possible with them ideally showing a light. We also hope people understand that we can only stop in a gap big enough for the towing vehicle plus the sleigh.

When we stop, the ‘elves’ have collection buckets. They also need to ensure that no one gets on the sleigh. They also check up on Santa.

Volunteer Jobs

Sleigh Maintenance Team

• Clean outside of sleigh before runs start. It’s currently stored in a garage with no electricity, so this can be challenging to arrange.
• Fix main ringing bell to sleigh before the runs start (we store this somewhere to keep it from being damaged in the garage).
• Check over the lights on the sleigh.
• For each run, fix the sleigh poles in place, connect up and check lights working.
• Make repairs to tinsel decorating sleigh.
• Periodically arrange for the underlying trailer chassis to be checked for rust etc. at a local garage.
• Check tyres at the start of the run ‘season’.
• Double-check that the QR payment code on the sides of the sleigh work.
• For each run, set the music amp up on the sleigh and attach to music playing device (what actually needs to be done to play music can change from year to year).

Sleigh Towing Driver Volunteers

• Because we have to pay an insurance premium per person per day, we aim for each run to be driven by one person.
• Hence, a towing volunteer needs to be able to tow for approx 4 to 5 hours and provide a suitable vehicle.
• Be happy to give us your full details (name and address) plus the details for your car. This will be held in the strictest of confidence and only shared with the insurance company.
• The sleigh is an ordinary trailer base with the sleigh built on it. Although we don’t know it’s weight, it has been successfully towed by 1 litre Dacia Jogger with turbo engine. It is considered by existing members who have towed that, if you can tow a caravan, you’ll have the necessary skills to tow the sleigh. However, we can arrange for a test drive if you are at all concerned.
• Fuel costs will be reimbursed on production of a receipt.
• The insurance to tow a Santa on a sleigh is organised and paid for by the club. However, there are some extra requirements imposed by the insurers as follows:
• Drivers must be over 25 years old (and there is no upper age limit).
• Drivers must have 2 years driving experience in the UK with the vehicle they are using.
• Drivers must have under 6 points on their licence. Insurance is not provided at all if they have 6 points or over.
• Please be aware that if you’ve had more than one insurance claim in the last three years, the insurance company will need to be given the details in advance of them deciding to give cover.

Santa Volunteers

• First Misconception: You do not have to be male! In fact, over the last few years our main Santas have been female. We do have a male for the Ammanford Town Light Switch on (as that would be too difficult to mask) but anyone can do the Sleigh Runs.
• Second Misconception: You do not need to be old. In fact, the runs can be quite strenuous (see below) so it would not suit someone with any heart, circulation or mobility issues. The rest of the Sleigh Team will obviously do their best to look after Santa but it is the individual’s own responsibility to be aware of their own health limitations when deciding if they can do the job.
• The Santa suit will be provided but you need to ensure you have lots of layers, at least two pairs of gloves (the red Santa ones go over your own), welly boots allowing for at least 3 pairs of socks. In practice, it is usually your hands and feet that can get very cold. We do have a padded foot warmer for your booted feet to go in and also a padded hand muff that your hands can go in.
• We have a selection of beards which can be personally allocated to different Santas each year. They get washed at the end of the runs. However, you might want to provide your own; your call!
• We have a selection of wigs! Again, this is a bit of a personal choice. One of our existing Santa volunteers wraps a white scarf round their head and neck. It is warm and looks like white hair.
• Be aware that we play music very loud. You might want to provide your own ear plugs.
• Santa needs to be able to sit in one position for up to 5 hours. Santa has a lap belt, but sitting on the sleigh can be a jolting experience, so be aware of this.
• The sleigh has a school bell. Whilst the sleigh is driving along, Santa needs to continuously ring the bell.
• Santa needs to look out for people along the side of the road and start waving as we approach.
• When stationary, people / children stand by the side of the sleigh for photos with Santa. You won’t have anyone getting on the sleigh.
• We provide a walky-talky to slip round your wrist. If you need to contact someone in the vehicle, you just press a button and it will send an alarm to the people in the vehicle.
• Finally, if you are warm enough and fit enough it is great fun! You cannot beat seeing the faces of the small children in particular. If you do it once, you’ll be hooked!

Elf Volunteers

• If you become the ‘Main Elf’, you will need to pre-install Glympse on your phone (and set up the Santa image) and ensure it has enough charge to last 5 hours. This enables people along the route to see us coming.
• If you are the ‘Main Elf’, be prepared for any calls that come through from the Facebook team. This could concern just about anything but you will need to assess and respond accordingly, giving advice to the driver as required.
• If you are the ‘Main Elf’ it would be useful if you could have Paypal POS installed on your phone (and logged into the Ammanford Lions Club account) to take credit card payments. This will have to be set up and checked prior to the runs as it is dependant on phone model.
• If you are the ‘Main Elf’, you will have the walky-talky that links to Santa. You need to check that the contact with Santa works and that Santa can press the contact button if necessary.
• Whether you wear an elf costume is entirely up to you but you might need to provide one if you want to dress up as we have a limited supply.
• Be ready to jump in and out of the car when the sleigh stops. You need to do this quickly to ensure no one tries to get on the sleigh when it is stationary.
• Be aware of the QR payment code on the sleigh and be ready to point people to it if they want to pay electronically.
• There is one point on route 2 where someone needs to run on ahead to assess whether there are too many parked cars for the sleigh to get through. This requires someone with some awareness of the limitations of towing a sleigh.
• Be ready to ‘crowd control’ if the sleigh needs to do any awkward reversing or manoeuvring.
• The people will want to have a photo taken with Santa. The elves need to manage people to get this done as efficiently as possible.
• Be responsible for looking after the donation buckets and ensure these get back to the Treasurer at the end of the runs.
• Keep an eye on Santa to ensure they are OK.

Facebook Team Volunteers

• Have had some experience of setting up Facebook posts. We’ll add you to the Admin team for the Ammanford Lions Club page.
• Create posts prior to the runs to advertise. There are existing images with all the roads; update with the dates for that year.
• Share these posts wherever you can. In fact, actively finding new groups to share with would be encouraged.
• Be available for the duration of any specific sleigh run because it involves:
• Setting up the post that announces that Santa is on the way. Using the Glympse link that the ‘Main Elf’ provides (probably via WhatsApp).
• Once the run gets going, be ready to respond to comments. Some comments can be ‘challenging’ so we need someone who can respond tactfully!
• If necessary, you might want to phone the ‘Main Elf’ during the run, so make sure you are aware of who to contact.