TWO Central Fife businesses have ensured that Santa's sleigh is ready for lift-off and that Dunfermline Round Table's festive charity drive isn't grounded.

Stewart Upholsterer Ltd and John Young Signs, who are both based within the Woodend Industrial Estate in Cowdenbeath, both teamed up with Round Table to help kit out a new sleigh that has allowed them to fundraise for children in social care.

Round Table, a social networking and charitable organisation open to men aged 18-45, have been collecting in aid of local youngsters in the run-up to Christmas annually and, in 2015, raised £2,100.

Their fundraising efforts were given a boost by borrowing a sleigh from Crossford Community Council to tow around the doors of Dunfermline but their charity drive was in danger after wear and tear saw it retired from use by its owners.

However the two Cowdenbeath businesses, together with Dunfermline firm Kenny's Music and air navigation provider NATS, combined to help fund and kit out a brand new sleigh to deliver joy to youngsters in need.

The Round Table's Dominic Collings explained: "We have been using Crossford Community Council's sleigh that they use for the gala for a number of years but we were told last year that we couldn't use it as it was pretty dilapidated. It's a bog standard farm trailer used all year round with bits bolted on and taken off, but was fit for the bin.

"The company I work for, NATS, have a charity foundation where you can put in an application for a local good cause to get a bursary of £500, which kick-started things. We looked locally for business partners and a few of the guys on the Round Table work for Thomson Cooper, who had some contacts.

"I drove to Lanark to pick it up – a motorbike trailer – and I built it over a few weeks. John Young Signs wrapped it for us and we asked Stewart Upholstery if they could provide us with a seat. They thought it looked better than they expected and did a full stitch job for us and Kenny's Music provided all the speakers and wires for us.

"We're over the moon."

Round Table are teaming up with Dunfermline Rotary Club to carry out their collections this year, and Dominic added: "It cost £950 but £500 of that was paid for, and this year we're teaming up with the Rotary Club which will boost the number of collectors. Last year we hit £2,100 and we hope that with the increase in numbers, we can raise more. It's all for a good cause to help kids locally who are in social care."