Santa Cruises Start 1997

Christmas cruises for disabled children started in 1997 using "Crusader II" for the first two weeks of December. It was a great success thanks to Ronnie and his staff decorating the grotto on the island at Wilkies Basin and erecting cut-out characters: Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, etc. That first year the Trust carried 240 children and their carers. Cruises have taken place each year since then, but since 1998 Seagull have used both "Crusader 11" and "Mackay Seagull". For the first two years when "Mackay" was used the crew were out in the open and the weather was really bad. For several days the ice had to be broken as the snow and hail came down in torrents. Fortunately, the committee decided to put a wheelhouse on "Mackay" during 1999 and since then this has proved a great success.

It is difficult to mention names but the volunteers who act as Santa, Stewart Boyds, Charlie Jackson, David Darling and Colin Cruikshank really helped to make the whole venture such a success. Margaret Binnie also contributed so much by being present each day and donating biscuits and cakes so generously. The Seagull Trust donate the presents and our doners provide the fuel. We have carried thousands of children and carers and the Seagull Trust volunteers crewed the barges.

The tradition continues. Santa's castle at Wilkies had to be rebuilt by Ratho members. After Ronnie Rusack retired from the Bridge Inn and its commercial Santa Cruises stopped, the job of maintaining and erecting cartoon characters fell on the volunteers. In Ratho, sponsorship for presents came from the local Masons.

As disabled children became more and more integrated into ordinary schools, it became necessary to broaden the catchment of schools. More boats facilitated more trips and so residential and nursing homes are invited to take up spare capacity. The Trust organises presents for children and the home organise their own presents.