Families line the streets as the Kirkby Christmas Crusade makes its way around the town this evening(Image: Liverpool ECHO)

Hundreds line the streets as Christmas characters take over

by · Liverpool Echo

The crusade celebrated its fifth year with its biggest event yet

Bookmark

Hundreds of families came out to watch as the annual Kirkby Christmas Crusade filled the streets with festive cheer. Lead by Franny Briggs into its fifth year, this year's event aimed to give out 10,000 presents to children, with new activities and surprise characters to enjoy.

The crusade started as a way to keep spirits high with children after the pandemic closed Santa's grottos in 2020 and is now an annual tradition in the area. Last year, donations went toward creating Buddy Benches in primary schools across Kirkby and community projects for local children.

Organisers refocused on gift-giving and welcome selection box donations were handed out to children during the crusade. New for this year were two surprise characters joining the crusade, and a Spider-Man play taking place at Southdene, Westvale, Northwood and Tower Hill.

Scaffolding was set up at selected houses, allowing families to watch Spider-Man climb across the rooftops in a short story about rescuing a cat that has wandered too far.

Families and young children came out to watch the magic unfold as cars lead by Christmas characters handed out selection boxes to spread some festive cheer. Take a look at all of tonight's magic below.

  1. Families line the streets as the Kirkby Christmas Crusade makes its way around the town this evening
    1 of 12(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
  2. Hundreds of families came out to watch
    2 of 12
  3. Hunter, 7, and Elvy, 4, wait for the Kirkby Christmas Crusade to make its way around the town this evening
    3 of 12
  1. There were characters and music
    4 of 12
  2. The crusade started as a way to keep spirits high with children after the pandemic closed Santa's grottos in 2020 and is now an annual tradition in the area.
    5 of 12
  3. Last year, donations went toward creating Buddy Benches in primary schools across Kirkby and community projects for local children.
    6 of 12
  1. Lead by Franny Briggs into its fifth year, this year's event aimed to give out 10,000 presents to children, with new activities and surprise characters to enjoy.
    7 of 12
  2. New for this year were two surprise characters joining the crusade and a Spider-Man play taking place at Southdene, Westvale, Northwood and Tower Hill.
    8 of 12
  3. Hunter, 7, and Elvy, 4, wait for the Kirkby Christmas Crusade
    9 of 12
  1. The Quinn family wait for the Christmas Crusade
    10 of 12
  2. Scaffolding was set up at selected houses, allowing families to watch Spider-Man climb across the rooftops in a short story about rescuing a cat that has wandered too far.
    11 of 12
  3. Families and young children came out to watch the magic unfold as cars lead by Christmas characters handed out selection boxes to spread some festive cheer.
    12 of 12