Real Fix Magazine
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This
No Result
View All Result
Real Fix Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Britain’s longest serving Santa Claus defies Covid to bring the magic of Christmas to kids for his 59th year

RealFix by RealFix
December 21, 2021
in Editor's Picks, Inspirational
0
Britain’s longest serving Santa Claus defies Covid to bring the magic of Christmas to kids for his 59th year

Ray Hulse in 2021 (L) & 1967 (R).

24
SHARES
24
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsapp

Britain’s longest serving Santa Claus has defied the latest Covid outbreak to bring the magic of Christmas to children for his 59th YEAR in a row.

Ray Hulse, 77, has handed out thousands of gifts to delighted kids to make their dreams come true since stepping in as a stand-in Father Christmas when he was 18.

He has now been donning his festive red suit annually since 1962 – despite coronavirus threatening to scupper his plans for the last two years.

Retired tyre fitter Ray has managed to raise over £55,000 for local charities after almost six decades of spreading festive cheer as jolly St Nick.

Ray Hulse in 1967.

The grandfather-of-one is the longest serving Santa in the country and has now been told he is likely to be longest serving Santa in the world.

He created his first grotto at a simple Ford garage and since then has appeared in hundreds of supermarkets and schools across his home county of Shropshire.

This year, Ray made sure he was triple jabbed so he could travel around primary schools for socially distanced appearances to raise money for charity.

Dad-of-three, Ray, of Bridgnorth, Shrops., said: “I was determined to not let Covid ruin Christmas this year.

“I know there is a variant of concern but it would have been a real shame to not let the kids celebrate – especially after last year.

“We haven’t had to cancel any events and we make sure we are all socially distanced and we still have some more fundraisers coming up.

“I am a bit vulnerable health wise with a dodgy heart so I made sure I had my booster so I was triple jabbed for events this year.

“Even Santa needs to get vaccinated.

“Nothing is going to stop me, health permitting. I’ve been doing this almost 60 years so I wanted to make sure I kept up the tradition.

“I had my grotto all decked out in festive lights. I always enjoy making sure kids have the best Christmas.

“Especially after the last couple of Christmases, it is nice to be able to start doing more events in the lead up to big day.

“Even though we were all socially distanced it doesn’t take away from the magic of the festive period.

“You’ve had children writing letters to Santa asking if he will be able to deliver presents this year – and of course the answer is yes.

“Normally I would have my Santa 1 car, with over 300 LED lights, but unfortunately, I could not do this this year.”

Ray Hulse in 1995.
Ray Hulse in 1996.

Ray, who has been supported by his wife of 51-years, Kathleen, 79, says he has always loved Christmas and will even try and keep going until his 100th birthday.

Ray added: “I have done this for nearly 60 years and I have no plans to slow down, I have a slightly dodgy heart but I will do my best for that not to stop me.

“Some say I am the longest serving Santa Claus outside of Britain too.

“People have been doing research and say they can find no record of anyone doing it longer than me in the world.

“When people tell me that it motivates me to keep going. Its nice to know I have a made a difference.

“It’s been amazing being Father Christmas over the years: from my first private function in 1962, to being awarded the Shropshire Heart of Britain Award in 1994 – and I’m still going.

“I never had a Christmas when I was younger, I was forced to work down the mines when I was 17 and forced to give my mother my wages.

“My mother never said she loved me or even had a photograph of me anywhere in the house.

“Because of this, I want to give other kids a Christmas experience I never had.”

Ray has always designed his own costume – decked with the red and gold Santa gown, as well as ‘Magic Bell’s’ to stop kids getting frightened of Father Christmas.

Collect picture – Ray Hulse in 1994.

He added: “The best thing about the job is wishing youngsters their first Merry Christmas – I always have a ‘My First Christmas’ sign, so memories can be made.

“It is just so fun and magical to do. I was 18 when I started and still get the same satisfaction from it today.

“I started out in a local village hall and a scout hut and it just grew from there. Just to bring joy and happiness to the children is great.

“The reward I get is to see the expressions on the kids’ faces and the sparkle in their eyes.”

Ray decided to start raising money for terminally ill children following the loss of his son Nicholas in 2012.

Ray said: “He would be proud. He was a lovely lad, our first-born. He would have been 50 now.”

For the past 30 years, Ray has been raising funds for Hope House Children’s Hospices, and this year he has also been collecting money for his grandson’s school.

Tags: Christmas
Previous Post

Tiny kitten branded ‘Christmas miracle’ after being rescued just seconds from death now loving life with his new owner

Next Post

Dry January: A Reminder that Many Cannot Stop Drinking

RealFix

RealFix

Real Fix is a completely free true-life magazine. Check out our Facebook page for more videos and clips, or download our New Real-Fix Podcast for astonishing interviews with some of the real people behind our amazing stories.

Next Post
Dry January: A Reminder that Many Cannot Stop Drinking

Dry January: A Reminder that Many Cannot Stop Drinking

You Must See

The 5 Secret Ways to Sell Your House Fast

The 5 Secret Ways to Sell Your House Fast

June 30, 2022
Fisherman stunned at hauling in huge common octopus ‘with suckers as big as 50p pieces’ off the British coast

Fisherman stunned at hauling in huge common octopus ‘with suckers as big as 50p pieces’ off the British coast

June 23, 2022
One of Britain’s oldest nurses revealed she has no plans to retire – and said she will keep working full-time as long as she feels fit

One of Britain’s oldest nurses revealed she has no plans to retire – and said she will keep working full-time as long as she feels fit

June 23, 2022
Postman leaves hilarious note for homeowner – after he was accosted by her guard BUNNIES

Postman leaves hilarious note for homeowner – after he was accosted by her guard BUNNIES

June 23, 2022
The captain of a cargo ship jumped overboard to rescue – a MEERKAT

The captain of a cargo ship jumped overboard to rescue – a MEERKAT

June 23, 2022
Vet has performed rare caesarean section surgery – on a GUINEA PIG

Vet has performed rare caesarean section surgery – on a GUINEA PIG

June 23, 2022
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This

Real Fix is a trading style of South West News Service Limited.
Copyright © 2022 South West News Service Limited.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This

Real Fix is a trading style of South West News Service Limited.
Copyright © 2022 South West News Service Limited.