Beardless Santa upsets children (From Witney Gazette)

Beardless Santa upsets children

3:09pm Thursday 21st December 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

A WITNEY father is angry his children's Christmas has been ruined by a charity Santa stripping off his costume in front of them.

Gavin Harsham, of Lancut Road, is fuming that his son, Kayne, four, and daughter, Kahrina, two, had their dreams shattered when they were confronted with Father Christmas removing his beard and coat on Tuesday last week.

Mr Harsham said: "I heard the Santa sleigh was driving around. I went around in the car looking for it, and then got the kids out of the house, and up to where they were doing the collection.

"They had waited about an hour, and were so excited. I paid money for the collection, and the kids, there were about ten of them in total, went around the corner to see Santa.

"Then they saw Santa right in front of them pull off his beard and take off his costume. They couldn't stop crying their eyes out.

"He could have waited just a few more minutes, but he just couldn't be bothered. It's ruined my children's Christmas. They were just starting to understand what it was all about, and really wanted to meet Santa.

"My daughter was really upset. She says she doesn't like Santa any more. The whole thing has made me really angry."

Tony Brown, chairman of the Witney Round Table, was driving the sleigh around Witney's Smiths estate to raise fund for local charities.

He said: " I am surprised. That happened when we parked up, and the person dressed as Santa took off his jacket and put it in the back of the car, because we had finished.

"If the children saw and were upset, then we will look into it and make sure it never happens again. I didn't see it. When I parked, there were one or two children around. As far as I am aware, they had been given sweets, and were very happy. I didn't see any crying at all. We don't go out of way to upset children, quite the contrary, it's a service for kids to enjoy. Santa is a cub leader, and he would have been very sympathetic. It's very unfortunate. We try very hard, and we are very conscious of our image."

The Round Table donates money to schools, hospices, creches, sports clubs, and other good causes in the area.