Kingston Round Table (KRT) is your local branch of Round Table, an international social organisation of ordinary guys aged between 18 and 45 years who meet up every other Thursday night to do some random activity then go for a beer afterwards.

It also likes to support the community and have fun whilst doing so.

Round Table is the largest young men's organisations in the world; with nearly 300 clubs in the UK alone and over 3,000 members.

Kingston was the 19th Round Table chartered so is one of the oldest active Tables.

It will be celebrating its 95th charter (or birthday) next year.

In recent years, KRT had been in decline and by April there were only two members, meaning it was unable to hold its Santa's Sleigh Christmas charity collection in 2023.

However, after a successful recruitment campaign with over 60 enquiries, it is now up to ten members meaning it can be more ambitious, and the sleigh event was able to be reinstated this year as a result.

This event involved a Santa's sleigh being out and about in Kingston for four evenings, collecting money for charities and spreading festive cheer.

The sleigh was kindly towed by Maypole Motors with one of KRT's lads having the opportunity to dress up as Santa and give out sweets.

Kingston Round Table's sleigh was towed by Maypole Motors (Credit: Kingston Round Table)

Meanwhile, Santa's little helpers were around to raise money and awareness of KRT's worthy charities.

This year, KRT raised money for a different charity each night, including:

• Monday 2 December - Good Gym
• Tuesday 3 December - Momentum
• Wednesday 4 December - SPEAR
• Thursday 5 December - Anthony Nolan

KRT had volunteers from each organisation to help it collect and get around the routes while spreading some Christmas spirit.

On Thursday, 5 December, it was joined by the Round Table National President Steve Eccles - who has pledged to raise £120k for Anthony Nolan.

KRT was delighted to make a contribution to this cause.

Eccles said: "It was great to meet the Kingston Round Table lads and be out collecting with them for Anthony Nolan despite the miserable weather.

 "It's great to hear that the lads were able to bring back the sleigh and hear how well they are doing."

He added: "They have some fantastic events coming up in the new year.

"Round Table is all about beating that midweek hump, getting out, having amazing experiences and meeting new people.

"It was great to see they have so many new lads, so just drop them a message and tag along to one of their socials in the New Year."

KRT will have raised over £2,500 across the four nights - a fantastic team effort and thanks to all the generous people of Kingston.

This year, KRT had a QR code for people who preferred to go cashless to take them to KRT's Just Giving Campaign page, which remains active.

It also advertised the dates and routes of the sleigh ride on its Facebook page and shared a Santa Tracker link so you could follow the team or, if your home wasn't on route, go out and find Santa.

KRT is inviting new members, so if you are or you know someone who is male, aged 18 to 45 and who wants to get out of the house every other Thursday night to try something new, make new friends and go for a beer afterwards then get in touch.

KRT believes that with men's mental health being so important, it is vital for men to have opportunities like this where they can support one another and socialise.

It has just celebrated a successful year with its Christmas event at the Bone Idyll Distillery and is hoping to grow its membership more next year.

Recent events have included Go Karting, Pole Fitness, hiring boats on the Thames, RC Racing and fencing.

KRT's plans for next year include a treasure hunt, Butchery Night, Axe Throwing, Forge Night, Bee Keeping and much more.

If you're interested in joining KRT, you contact the team via its Facebook page or email them at [email protected].