A retired Kingston bank manager likes nothing more than to spread a bit of festive cheer and make some money for charity while he is at it.

Long serving member of the Kingston Rotary Club Brian Stickland, 66, from Weybridge, is the head of the Christmas fundraising committee that takes a sleigh through the borough’s streets and puts up a dazzling giant Christmas tree in Clarence Street every year.

Last year his efforts raised £7,000 for charities dear to the Rotary Club such as Water Aid and Vision Aid.

Mr Stickland, who has been with the club for 26 years, said: “I enjoy serving local people and raising money to help others.

“The work is partly social and partly service.

“We are a very active club and we have a good time together. I just try to do what I can.”

Christmas might come just once a year but a humble Mr Stickland is busy all year round preparing for the perfect seasonal fundraising.

On top of his Christmas duties he is also involved in a Rotarian programme where he drives a mini bus full of Kingston senior citizens to movie nights out.

Family man Mr Stickland said: “A lot of elderly people do not get out much and they really appreciate getting out of the house. This way they get to know each other and they enjoy it.

“I have been incredibly blessed and lucky in my life so I just want to put something back into the community. It has been very rewarding for me.”

A keen caravan traveller, he was previously treasurer of Kingston Voluntary Action for a decade.

Mr Stickland is a regular churchgoer and a member of his church choir together with his wife, who he has been married to for more than 40 years.

His love for singing and music has been helpful to fellow Rotarians as he has been known to entertain with a few numbers at annual black tie events.

Mr Stickland is also the vice chairman of Kingston Rotary Club’s international committee that spearheads efforts to stamp out polio all over the world.