Charity worker Willie Gregg has rubbished the fact that he has to fill in a Parades Commission form – to organise a wheelie bin race.

The one-mile race is being planned for course round the centre of Willie’s home town Coleraine, and the proceeds are for his fund which supports 100 orphans in Thailand, made homeless by the 2004 tsunami which swept away their village.

Yesterday, Willie lifted the lid on the fact that he has to get permission to run the event in May, which he hopes will include a bit of street theatre, the best decorated bin, a spot of fancy dress and a carnival atmosphere in the Co Londonderry town.

“I had planned to run it this side of Christmas and have landed the permission and set up all the insurances,” said Willie, who raises about £1,000 a month to look after the education and welfare of the children in the remote village of Kolak who lost their parents when the massive wave rushed in from the Indian Ocean on Boxing day four years ago.

He added: “I decided to put it off until May, to coincide with a busy tourism scene here when the North West 200, the Portrush Raft Race and the famous air show all take place. I want to make a major event of it.

“I was gobsmacked when I was told I’d had to get permission as if I was organising some sort of controversial parade, but that’s life in Northern Ireland and I’ve had to conform. But I’m looking forward to it and hopefully it’ll be an annual event.

“Around 30 business have said they’re taking part and it should raise at least £2,000. The money is vital for the future of these children.”

It follows news that Santa Claus had to gain permission to walk from Belfast’s City Hall this year to the Castle Court shopping centre, as reported in the Belfast Telegraph last month.

A spokesman for the Parades Commission said that all gatherings had to fill in a form, as laid down by the PSNI. “There’s no problem if a gathering isn’t contentious,” the spokesman added.

• The Thailand airport protests held up Willie’s Christmas presents to the children, but yesterday Belfast shipping company Direct Shipping stepped in, collected them from Coleraine and will have them in the for tea chest with the children within a week. “I’m delighted,” said Willie.