This the season of giving

Dressed in all manner of Father Christmas outfit, hundreds of Summer Santas gathered to raise funds for charity and have some festive season fun.
HUNDREDS of people dressed in their finest Father Christmas garb got into the festive spirit and contributed to a charitable cause when they descended on The Brightwater Commons in Randburg on 4 December.

Santas roar into Brightwater CommonsSantas roar into Brightwater CommonsA wide array of Santas, ranging from children decked in traditional red and white suits to adults pairing board shorts with beards and hats, converged on the rolling lawns of the shopping centre to herald the silly season.

The most important part of the day, though, was the gift of giving. Half of the money raised was donated to the Paige Project, which is an organisation dedicated to helping children with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of chronic conditions that affect body movement and muscle co-ordination. Damage to specific areas of the brain is the cause of it, and it usually occurs during foetal development or infancy.

Children with cerebral palsy cannot control motor function, and symptoms may involve muscle tightness or spasm; involuntary movement; impairment of sight, movement or speech; and seizures.

Although the condition is not curable, education and therapy can help immensely. Cerebral palsy is not a disease or illness. It is not contagious and it doesn’t get worse. Children who have cerebral palsy have it all their lives.

The chairperson and a founder member of the Paige Project, David Barson, explained the organisation’s work. Its main objective was to raise funds to provide carers with equipment and training that would help childrens’ development. “These children have the potential to lead near to normal lives with the correct help,” he said.

“We have helped 35 children since the organisation opened just over a year ago.”

Palsy centre
Money raised from the event would go towards opening a centre in Johannesburg. Barson said it would include physiotherapy facilities, occupational and speech therapy, a training centre for medical students and an educational centre.

Children have fun at the Summer Santas eventChildren have fun at the Summer Santas event“Thank you so much for your help today and opening your hearts,” Barson told the assembled Santas.

Children also got the opportunity to meet the real Father Christmas, who made a grand entrance on a Harley Davidson. He handed out gifts, posed for photographs and stopped for a quick chat with groups of revellers. Interviewed by popular comedian Chris Forrest, Father Christmas revealed a fondness for beer, asking that children leave out “a plate of cookies and an ice-cold beer” for him.

Alwyn Hollenbach, who plays for the Joburg rugby team the Golden Lions, made an appearance in red too. He signed autographs and posed for photos with fans; Lions memorabilia was on offer, with a signed jersey given away in a lucky draw and a hamper auctioned off.

Another lion was also in the crowd on the day: Simba the Lion, who happily posed for pictures with his young friends and handed out crisps to hungry guests. Later, entertainment was from the new pop group Orion and the musician Bobby van Jaarsveld.

The event began at 12noon and ended at 3pm, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy the variety of entertainment on offer and refreshments at McGinty’s beer tent. It followed successfully in the footsteps of last year’s initiative, when hundreds of Santas on Wheels rode into The Brightwater Commons to spread festive cheer and raise money for the QuadPara Association of South Africa.