Rudolph

Santa's helpers will have collection buckets and we can also take card payments.

• Static Collections: You will be able to stand next to the sleigh to speak to Santa or have your picture taken with him.
• Street Routes: Rudolph and Santa will, where possible keep moving in order to complete the route in a timely manner.
• JustGiving: If you can't make it to one of Rudolph appearances, you can still donate directly to the Rudolph Fund using the link below:

We're very excited to reveal that Rudolph will feature on The Repair Shop Christmas Special over the Christmas period on BBC1. For more details, please read our latest press release - you can also watch the programme on BBC iPlayer.

In 1949, Firefighters from Central Fire and Rescue Station in Leicester discovered a worn-out shop demonstration model of a reindeer hidden beneath the stands of the Tigers Football Club (at the time used as private workshops). With permission, they borrowed and restored the reindeer for their annual children's Christmas party. Adding a motorised sleigh, the Firefighters gave the reindeer the name "Rudolph", and had him proudly escort Santa to the event.

As Rudolph and Santa drove up to the station, passersby began tossing donations into the Firefighters' helmets, and the concept of a charity collection was born.

By 1950, Rudolph had become a local star. Not only did he attend the children's party again, but he was also invited to the Town Hall Square for the Christmas lights switch-on. The Leicester Mercury (22 December 1950) reported that a crowd of about 7,000 people "mobbed the sleigh" as it circled the fountain.

Realising the potential, the Firefighters began organising street tours with Rudolph. Initially, the focus was on collecting donated toys, which they repaired and distributed to children in need or hospital. However, cash donations also became an important part of the tradition.

The original Rudolph was quite the attraction, with blinking eyes, wiggling ears, and a chewing mouth, a newspaper even dubbed him "Rudolph the Robot Reindeer."

During the 1960s, Rudolph's artificial antlers were accidentally broken. After attempts to repair them failed, a novel solution was found - Wardens from local tourist spot and nature reserve Bradgate Park were contacted, and a genuine set of antlers shed by wild deer from the park were donated as a replacement. Ever since then, each set of Rudolph's replacement antlers have been sourced from Bradgate Park.

By 1979, the original Rudolph was showing signs of age. A new version was commissioned and built by a local company specialising in theme park figures. This current Rudolph (now 45 years old), features a movable head and, of course, a glowing red nose.

In 1981, a new sleigh was introduced, followed by the one still in use today, built in 1992.

By 2025, Rudolph had fallen into disrepair following decades of use. Much of his animatronics had ceased to function, and his famous red nose barely glowed. Due to a lack of funds, and with no local experts to fix him, he faced an uncertain future.

Thankfully, requests from Station Manager and longtime Rudolph volunteer Darren Weston to the BBC's Repair Shop TV programme were answered, and he and his former mentor, retired Station Manager and fellow volunteer Jerry Askham, were invited to The Repair Shop barn with the elderly reindeer in tow.

The Repair Shop invited local children to the barn to be among the first to see the newly fixed reindeer as part of the big reveal, and the show also featured three celebrated figures this Christmas, with Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren, children's author Julia Donaldson, and comedian Rob Brydon visiting the experts.

The episode was first broadcast on BBC1 on Boxing Day, 2025, and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer (viewers must have a valid TV licence).

If your charity would like to be considered for future donations, you will need to submit an application and send it to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service for the attention of the Rudolph Committee or email the application to Rudolph@leics-fire.gov.uk. Applications must meet the following criteria:

• Applications should be in writing on headed paper.
• They must have a registered charity number.
• The charity must be based in Leicestershire, Leicester or Rutland and must support children and young people within the county.
• The application should give a detailed description of the work the charity does and the age group they help.

If you need any assistance, please email: Rudolph@leics-fire.gov.uk .