Norwich Volvo dealer Holden and Volvo Car UK teamed up with Father Christmas to help raise up to �25,000 for Action for Children and deliver presents to children at its UK projects including Poppyland Sure Start in North Walsham.

Father Christmas took the wheel of a Volvo V60 DRIVe R-Design for his tour of the UK and Ireland, which he used as a practice run ahead of his monumental Christmas Eve run.

Early presents were delivered to children at Action for Children's Poppyland Sure Start in Mundesley Road, North Walsham, where Stephen Tubby, sales manager at the Volvo dealership in Barker Street, Norwich, helped distribute the gifts.

Instead of his normal sleigh pulled by reindeer, Father Christmas's mode of transport was the more powerful, fuel-efficient Volvo V60 DRIVe R-Design. Powered by a 1.6-litre, 115hp turbo diesel engine with a combined cycle fuel economy figure of 62.8mpg, plus an ample boot load of 1,241 litres with the rear seats down, it made an ideal 'sleigh' to deliver gifts.

Father Christmas set off on December 13 from Volvo UK's HQ in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, for his six-day tour, visiting 12 Action for Children projects.

Facebook fans entered a festive competition at www.facebook.com/insidevolvouk to win prizes by guessing where the V60 DRIVe needed to fill up on its journey. With every entry Volvo is giving �3 towards its fund-raising target.

Stephen said: 'Entering the Facebook competition all helped towards our fund-raising target. Christmas is all about kids, and we wanted to do our part in bringing an extra couple of smiles to their faces. With such an economical and comfortable car at Father Christmas's disposal, we're not sure if he'll want to go back to his sleigh!'

Action for Children works with more than 200,000 children, young people and families tackling issues including neglect and child abuse, offering advice and support to families, and providing 'drop-in' play sessions and toddler groups for parents and children who have suffered domestic abuse.

Ian Duckmanton, at Poppyland Sure Start, said: 'We were delighted to welcome Santa's early arrival in a rather more unusual and ultra-modern mode of transport! We're hugely grateful to Volvo for not only delivering Christmas presents to us at Amble and Coquet Children's Centre but also for helping to raise so much money for Action for Children. It will help projects like ours to continue to provide essential and expert support to children who need it the most, not just at Christmas, but throughout the whole year.'