BARRY Round Table has issued an SOS – Save Our Santa – appeal in a bid to get Father Christmas back on the town’s roads.

The charity organisation urgently needs donations to help refurbish the deteriorating sleigh, or completely replace it.

The group is also keen to hear from men, aged 18 to 45, interested in joining the existing five-strong crew.

Members would also like to hear from anyone who can offer some sled-building expertise – electricians, carpenters, decorators – and are calling on all residents to attend a comedy night to help them aid Santa’s festive mission.

The team – Santa, Mrs Claus, and a safety officer – accompany the sleigh which distributes sweets and stops for photos – on its December street and Barry Tesco rounds.

A minimum of three adults are needed to operate the sleigh and more volunteers would enable the sleigh to visit more of Barry, with potential for a Sully and Rhoose call.

Pukka Productions and sea scouts have also previously acted as sleigh volunteers.

And the reindeers – currently known as ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ are desperate for residents in Barry to suggest some suitable reindeer names.

Barry Round Table president Andrew Rosser, a member for 12 years, said: “It has had a few versions over the years. Its current version I believe was a caravan. It’s still the original chassis. The actual chassis is very old. The actual sleigh on top is between eight and 10 years. Having that built costs us a fair amount of money because of the materials. It’s always had varnish on it and it’s had a fair few coats over the years. It’s all made of wood apart from the chassis. The wood is still in reasonable condition. It has had a few knocks and a few splits and it has patches over the years. The lights could do with refurbishment, replacement. It has to have tinsel every year because the tinsel doesn’t last and it hides all the rough edges.

“Santa wants a roof and a windscreen to keep him a bit drier this year, seat belts and we could do with new lighting – LEDs.

He added: “We’d like to go everywhere in Barry and include Rhoose and Sully. We can’t cover Barry fully as some spaces are quite tight.

“We’d like to extend the number of nights, but to do that we need new members so we can add an extra night.

“The ideal makeover would be a brand new chassis and everything - all singing and dancing – costing £2,000 to £3,000 or a refurbishment costing £1,000."

Round Table member of eight years, Dave Beadle, 37, of Barry, said the group meet at the Sir Samuel Romilly, on Broad Street, Barry, on the first Wednesday of the month and socialise on the third Wednesday.

Activities they take part in include golf, football, clay pigeon shooting, and charity pub quizzes and curry nights.

The group has staged speaker nights welcoming Ty Hafan, an astronomer, a Bank of England representative and it has funded individuals and families on days out.

But Dave said the sleigh was important in assisting local causes.

He said: “Water is getting in through some of the wood and the seats. We’d ideally like to put some sort of safety mechanism around the seating for Santa over the Barry speed humps

“I remember it as a child, coming out of the house and having your mojos and fruit salads thrown at you.

“My kids love it.

“We go down the street music blaring, you can’t miss it.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to raise the funds to keep the sleigh going in Barry.”

To offer assistance, donations, or find out more search Facebook for Barry Round Table and Barry Santa Sleigh.

Alternatively, find the group on Twitter @BarryRoundTable

A comedy night, raising funds to rejuvenate the sleigh, will take place at The Dolphin bar, Barry Island, from 8pm to 1am on Friday, September 11.

The event also features a Blues tribute act.

Doors open 7pm for 8pm and tickets cost £15 each.

Save Our Sleigh wrist bands are also available, via the Barry Round Table, for £3 each.