This December, Lucie the Porthcawl Land Train will transform into the Santa Express, welcoming Steelworks Santa on board for three days of festive family fun.
Following the success of last year’s Santa Express, Lucie the Land Train, run by homelessness charity Emmaus South Wales, will again undergo a festive makeover in preparation for Santa’s arrival on Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th December.
Joining Steelworks Santa on board Lucie the Land Train will be The Family Claus; Mrs Claus will lead some traditional carol singing and Chief Elf, Candy Cane, will spread her own brand of Christmas cheer.
Once passengers are safely onboard the land train, the 40-minute Santa Express will travel along Porthcawl’s promenade. At the end of the ride, children will receive a gift and can enjoy a meet and greet and photo opportunity with Steelworks Santa at the Harbour Master Office, which will be transformed into a grotto.
Steelworks Santa – Porthcawl local, Allan Evans – attends Christmas events with his family to help raise money for charities, and said:
“I am delighted to be working with Emmaus South Wales to offer families a special experience with Father Christmas including traditional carol singing, festive treats, and photo opportunities, all while enjoying Porthcawl’s seaside scenery and supporting three good causes at the same time!”
The Santa Express ticket also includes an activity pack and discount voucher for hot chocolate at Sidoli’s Café. Gianluca Sidoli, owner of Sidoli’s Café, said:
“It’s great to be part of the Santa Express in Porthcawl this year, to offer a discount voucher for children’s hot chocolate at Sidoli’s Café. Myself and my family are extremely grateful for any form of business it may bring to our kiosk during our coldest months and even tougher months ahead. I hope the Santa Express is every bit a success as it was last year for the families and all people involved and we look forward to welcoming attendees to Sidoli’s Café after a meet and greet with Santa!”
Tickets for the Santa Express cost £12 per person plus booking fee, with a portion from each ticket split between Steelworks Santa’s chosen charities; GIST Cancer UK and Alzheimer’s Society Cymru. The remaining proceeds will go to Emmaus South Wales, which operates Lucie the Land Train as a social enterprise to generate funding to support people out of homelessness.
Jemma Wray, Chief Executive at Emmaus South Wales, said:
“We’re so excited to be running the Santa Express for a second year and delighted that Steelworks Santa will be making a return on board. Lucie the Land Train has received great support from the local community this year and was recognised at the Social Business Wales Awards as Social Enterprise of the Year. Hosting a magical festive event is a wonderful way to celebrate our award and thank Porthcawl locals for their support as we end the year. We hope people from far and wide can join us for our post-Christmas charity event, which children and adults alike can enjoy.”
The Santa Express takes place on Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th December, with four timeslots each day: 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, with a limited number available. To book your Santa Express experience, visit www.emmaus.org.uk/south-wales/santa-express-2022/
