 Rudolph almost stayed in his stable this Christmas |
A long-running Christmas appeal is going ahead despite fears it had folded through lack of support. Organisers of the Leicestershire and Rutland Fire Service Rudolf Fund say this year's efforts are diminished.
For the past 50 years the fund has relied on firefighters volunteering to take Rudolf around the county to raise cash for a string of deserving causes.
Despite raising �12,000 last year, low morale among crews was blamed for making volunteers hard to find.
Gerry Askum, fire station manager for the Leicestershire and Rutland Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It does get very difficult to get people together to organise the events."
The fund has raised about �500,000 since it was launched 50 years ago.
"Some small local charities really depend on the fund to keep going," Mr Askum said.
The festive spectacle is now a traditional part of the county's Christmas countdown.
But organisers have managed to muster enough help to get Rudolf out on the road and raising cash for charity.
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