Sunderland bricklayer swaps work boots for Santa's shoes as he spreads Christmas cheer for charity
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Brooke Johnson talked her partner James Appleby into making calls to family homes after he first pulled on the outfit as a favour for their daughter Harper-Rose’s childminder.
Now he is set to visit the doorsteps of 100 children across Wearside after Brooke lined up people do make a £2 donation in return for an appearance, with all his slots now booked up ahead of Christmas Day.
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Hide AdThe funds will go to help Layla’s Legacy, a Ryhope campaign set up in memory of Layla Davis, who sadly died aged four in October 2016 due to heart problems.
Her parents Amanda and Stephen set up the appeal to help other families with seriously ill children.
The collection set up by Brooke, 28, and James, 29, has also been boosted by James’ bosses at King Brothers bricklayers, which added £50 to the fund.
James, from Hylton Castle, said: “Brooke put it on Facebook saying I would do visits as Santa and we would donate the money to Layla’s Legacy and she got in a lot of messages.
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Hide Ad"We’ve done little sweet packs and reindeer dust to give to the children.”
Brooke added: “I think what he’s doing is amazing, this will make the kids very happy.
"It’s been hard, having a lockdown and we’ve all be stuck at home and I can’t believe how many messages we’ve had.
"It’s just a £2 donation, but all of it will go to Layla’s Legacy.
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Hide Ad"I’m originally from Ryhope and I know the charity does really good work to give children experiences and that’s what Christmas is about.”
The couple’s children, Teddy Appleby, six-months, and Brooke’s son John Chipp, eight, have also been delighted by his appearance as Father Christmas.
They added their thanks to childminder Emma Perek, of Helping Hands, for her support, as she will be match funding the money raised through the efforts, with a visit also planned to Bowes Manor Equestrian Centre.