A special request has been taken straight to Santa in an effort to bring reindeer to Redlands for the official lighting of the City’s new Christmas tree from 6pm on Friday 2 December.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has written directly to the man in the red suit following an anonymous letter from a Redlands youngster delivered to Council’s Customer Service Centre.

“We received a letter asking for a visit from red deer (reindeer), so we set out to see if we could make this wish come true for Christmas,” Cr Williams said.

“We thought the request for a deer visit was timely, and who better to invite than the most famous reindeer team of all?

“While rates, rubbish and roads are more our jurisdiction, we also take reindeer requests very seriously and we are happy to work in partnership with other agencies, even those based in the North Pole, to make this happen.

“I have taken the step of writing directly to the North Pole, inviting Santa and his reindeer to our Christmas tree lighting in Cleveland Library Square next Friday and I have it on good authority some of them will be there.

“We’ve promised Santa that his reindeer will get the chance to meet some of the local children who leave food treats out each Christmas Eve, so it would be great to see people turn out to greet them.

“As a safety precaution, we will also ensure Brisbane Airport is aware there may be extra arctic air traffic that evening.”

Read the Mayor’s full letter to Santa here.

Cr Williams said Council was also on a mission to find the youngster who left the letter.

“With no return address, we have not been able to get in touch with this young customer to let him know we are progressing his request,” she said.

“We would love for this young child to be there on the night, not only to see the spectacular display of lights on our Christmas tree, but also his dream of Redlands Reindeer coming to fruition.”

The Redland Christmas Tree is being installed in the coming week at Cleveland Library Square, Middle Street (outside Cleveland Library) and will be officially lit for the first time at a free family-friendly event from 6pm on Friday 2 December.

It will remain on display until Tuesday 10 January 2017.