Scouts fundraiser on track as magic of Santa Express enchants guests
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The Kerr Family enjoying the Santa Express.Image 2 of 11
Mullingar Rotary Club supported the Santa Express; Laura Bauer and Fiona O’Shea explain to Bill Collentine and Roger Nicholson what was happening.Image 3 of 11
Sweet Tunes singers entertained the guests on the Santa Express while they were waiting to depart.Image 4 of 11
Two Little Blue Heroes were on board, Adam Boyce and William Duke.Image 5 of 11
Josh and Alan McSherry.Image 6 of 11
Lara Alti, Poppy Kinsella and Lola Brown enjoying the fun on the platform while waiting for the Santa Express to depart.Image 7 of 11
Marion O’Riordan, Mrs Claus, David Joyce, Santa Claus, Fiona O’Shea and Keith Kinahan.Image 8 of 11
Santa chatting to two little reindeer on board the train.Image 9 of 11
Scouter, Deirdre O’Brien McGivney, engaging with a little visitor.Image 10 of 11
Scouter, Sean Staunton, moving the visuals on the sensory carriage.Image 11 of 11
The Andrews family came from Dublin to spend the weekend in Mullingar.Santa’s Elves were hard at work last Friday, to transform Mullingar Train Station into a winter wonderland for the Santa Express specials at the weekend. The now unused Athlone platform was decked out with a Sleigh, quirky winter backdrops and some selfie, elfie style photo props.
The train rolled in on Friday evening and Elves (also known as Scout leaders and other volunteers) hopped on board to decorate the eight carriages with fairy lights, tinsel, and window stickers, and sponsors’ signage. Work then began on preparing for the days activities for the first train at 1pm on Saturday.
Over the weekend, four trains transported Santa and his guests on a return run to Longford, but there was much more to the event that the journey. As they waited to board, guests enjoyed carols by Mullingar Gospel Choir and Sweet Tunes Choir, and on board the music continued, while the Elves played a few pranks and did some face painting too.
There was a sensory carriage and waiting area offering a calmer experience and support for those who requested it, and sponsor Aine, proprietor of Thinkingtoys.ie, was present with toys and tools to support those visitors.
The excitement built as Santa and Mrs Claus worked their way through the carriages to chat all the children.
The event was run by an amateur and volunteer group of Scouters whose aim was to raise funds for their group; the proceeds will be used to enable the youth members of 9th Westmeath to develop their Scouting and life skills.
The group said none of it would have been possible without the support of so many sponsors, Irish Rail, The Rotary Club, Buckley’s SuperValu, Wrights windows, Skyclad, Glynn Construction, Joe Gorman Engineering, Cleanwell, Pain and Injury Clinic, Shay Murtagh, Keenan and Bauer, Canore Hygiene, Bloomfield house Hotel, Smiths Hardware, Delight in Every bite, Milltown Passive Build, Mullingar Hardware and Mullingar Arts Centre. There was also support from Nixon’s Florists, Oscars, McGuire Dental, North Midlands Credit Union, Colour Trend; and the event was also enjoyed support from Westmeath County Council, WinterFest Mullingar, and Ray Dolan.
The 9th Westmeath Scout group are hoping the Santa Express will become an annual event and are already thinking about next year.