THE THIRD anniversary of a popular Christmas truck fundraiser event will pay tribute to a Tynedale businessman.

For the third year running, trucks decorated with bright lights and will make their way through Tynedale villages on December 8 to spread Christmas joy and raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance and Santa's Little Helpers.

Fiona Pattison organised Northumberland’s first-ever truck parade in 2021 with Alex MacLennan from Forestry England to thank drivers for their work during Covid-19 and throughout the year.

The former teacher assistant knows how hard haulage drivers work, with her husband James being one, making her want to do something for the workers

This year the event will also be a tribute to a former friend and businessman David Lamb.

Fiona said: "David Lamb was a HGV & LG Repairer, based in Acomb Industrial Estate, Acomb.

"He was well known in the haulage industry and a supporter of the truck run. He died suddenly in January 2023

"As well as the event being a tribute, we have added a new route to go around Leaplish Kielder Waterside.

"We all think this is a real community event and so many companies and organisations give up their time which we really appreciate them doing this to support the event.

"We have 50 plus marshals and volunteers that help out on the night without them and the wagons we wouldn't have an event

"So far we have raised just over £7000 that is split between the Great North Air Ambulance and Santa's Little Helpers local families that are struggling this Christmas with food and gifts for their children.

"No parent should have to explain to a child why Santa hasn’t been so we’re stepping in, to provide presents or a Christmas dinner to those families that are need it most.

"All children deserve to have a Christmas to remember, including gifts and a hot meal, unfortunately some families just can’t afford this now with the cost of living crisis hitting families hard, the price rise in heating and food bills, universal credits being cut and job losses, it has had a devastating affect on families."

If you would like to donate click here www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fiona-pattinson?utm_term=KRqBwMKyq