Part of the Southmead Carol Bus team: Stuart, Cliff, Charlotte and Allana.

Charlotte Leslie joined a team of volunteers helping out on the Southmead Carol Bus’s grand tour of Southmead. The tour is the last in a series of trips the bus makes around the city, which also included this year a tour of Bristol for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, and visits to local elderly people’s homes.

The Southmead Carol bus is the brainchild of local man, Cliff Howell, who owns Cliff’s Florists on Greystoke Avenue. Cliff set up the Carol Bus seven years ago, and since then has raised thousands of pounds for local community projects, as part of the Southmead Pride Carol Bus Appeal.

The Bus stopped at Greystoke Avenue, where collections for local community projects were taken, and Father Christmas greeted parents and children alike.

Commenting on the success of the Carol Bus, Charlotte said:

” It was a real honour to be helping out Cliff and his team as the bus toured Southmead. I was selling light-sabers, with all the proceeds going straight back into the community.

It was one of the coldest nights of the year, but the dedication and enthusiasm of Cliff and his team, which included a contingent from the Bristol Dragons Karate Club was really impressive. Especially when you consider that no one is getting paid for this, and that Cliff Howell started the whole thing off completely out of his own initiative.

It’s inspirational, and an example to politicians everywhere about getting out into the community and getting things done. “

This year the bus was bigger and brighter than ever, with 17 frames of lights, inflatable snowman and father Christmas.

For more information, go to www.southmeadpride.co.uk or visit Cliff at Cliff’s Florists, on Greystoke Avenue, Southmead.