It may seem a little premature to be polishing your jingle bells right now but if you want to kick your Christmas off with a bang you should know about the Heritage Santa Cruise on Sunday, December 3 ASAP, before your festive social calendar becomes too full to take part.

Being run for a thirteenth time in 2023, owners of VW, Land Rover, Porsche, and other cherished vehicles are invited to bring their families (and pets) to partake in this fancy-dress Father Christmas convoy, which spreads yuletide cheer across the Southeast and typically raises around £1000 for good causes.

In exchange for £20, participating drivers will receive a pair of Santa Suits, a commemorative sticker and a route plan, just in case they get lost!

Once again, the destination for the cruise, and chosen beneficiary of this seasonal goodwill is The Children’s Trust, in Tadworth, near Reigate (KT20 5RU) fortunately outside the new ULEZ expansion zone.

The Children’s Trust provides children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability the opportunity to live their best life possible, providing specialist rehabilitation, education and community services across the UK.

There is no need to register in advance, but further information can be found on the Heritage Facebook page or at HeritagePartsCentre.com/Santa-Cruise

The cruise will congregate at Heritage HQ (BN43 6PB) at 12 noon and leave for Tadworth at 1pm. The leisurely drive is approximately an hour on a mixture of A and B roads. Seasonal vehicle decoration isn’t compulsory but is encouraged if you can