A boxer is pulling a sleigh, complete with Santa, 26 miles from Fleetwood to Kirkham to raise funds for charity.

Bill Hodgson’s Santa Slog aims to raise funds for a range of charities across the region including Secret Santa Blackburn, which is running a festive toy appeal backed by the Lancashire Telegraph, and Child Action Northwest.

He will attempt the mammoth challenge on Saturday December 12 and it is expected to take him 10 hours. The campaign has already raised £50,000 and is aiming to reach £100,000.

He said: “2020 has been difficult for us all and this is especially true for these independent local charities who have been unable to fundraise in there normal manner.”

Bill is managing director at Praetorian Security Solutions and also a boxer.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Imtiaz Ahmed from community group We Love Blackburn is supporting Bill. He said: “I have been to a number of businesses who are donating towards the cause.

“Bill has a really great heart and it was fantastic for him to be supporting local causes in this way.”

Phil Boulding from Secret Santa Blackburn said: “What he is doing is just amazing.

“The generosity and kindness of Bill is fantastic. Without knowing any of the thousands of children in Blackburn with Darwen he is pulling a sleigh for us.

“Against the Covid challenges he has made Secret Santa’s work so much more achievable.

“We will be there to welcome him home with our Santa’s helpers and elves!”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Deborah Blades from Child Action North West said: “We are overwhelmed and extremely grateful that Bill and the team at Santa’s Slog have chosen to support our cause at a time when it is never more needed.

“At Child Action Northwest, we have continued to provide much needed support for children and families at the time they need it the most, but we rely on our supporters and fundraisers to make sure we can continue to do this.

“Our main fundraising events have been cancelled due to the pandemic, but the Santa’s Slog Charity Event, means we will be able to continue providing our life changing services for children and families in need.

“Our CEO, Sue Cotton would like to express our sincere thanks to all involved, particularly Bill Hodgson for taking on such an enormous task on our behalf, and everyone that has donated so far.”

Shakeel Choudhry said, "Bill is doing a fantastic and hard fundraiser so everyone needs to get on board by donating towards all these amazing causes."

The other charities Bill is raising money for are: Donna’s Dream House, The Space Centre Preston, Rock FM Cash For Kids, Kirkham Food Bank and Kirkham Integrated Stroke Support KISS.

All the funds raised will be split equally between the seven charities.