A man familiar to people in and around Ely for dressing up as Father Christmas is hanging up his red jacket and white beard, having collected over £2,800 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Ely Standard: A man familiar to people in and around Ely for dressing up as Father Christmas is hanging up his red jacket and white beard, having collected over £2,800 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).A man familiar to people in and around Ely for dressing up as Father Christmas is hanging up his red jacket and white beard, having collected over £2,800 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). (Image: Archant)

Albert Tumber has very much been part of the city’s festivities over the last five years, having initially caught the fundraising bug by taking part in a Cambridge Santa Run. His fundraising activities have included raffles at an Ely branch of Slimming World and bucket collections at Wilburton’s Twenty Pence Garden Centre and Ely Market Place.

He has received fantastic support from businesses across the city and particularly from his wife, Jackie, who has spent many hours decorating his mobility scooter to look like a sleigh!

Albert, a father-of-two and grandfather-of-four, from Stretham, has finally decided to call time on his fundraising at the grand, old age of 77.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed doing it - and I’ve certainly found out how difficult it is to collect money. I’d like to thank everybody who’s donated to my raffles and collections over the years. It’s a great job EACH does for children and their families.”

Karen Newton, EACH Cambridgeshire fundraising manager, said: “Albert’s adventures as Father Christmas have certainly brought smiles to faces across Ely and surrounding areas, and we’re delighted his endeavours - raising £2,886.51 in total - have benefited EACH. Thank you, Albert.

“We rely on voluntary donations for the majority of our income, so such efforts really do make a big difference to our work caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions and supporting their families.”

EACH cares for 116 children and young people from its hospice in Milton, supporting a further 113 family members.

For more information about the good cause visit www.each.org.uk and to find out more about fundraising call Karen on 07894 899244 or email her at karen.newton@each.org.uk.