A COVENTRY man dubbed ‘the Real Father Christmas’ will be ‘ho ho hoping’ to spread some festive cheer by raising thousands for charity when he makes his fly-in visits across the city.
Paul Sharp has helped raise more than £10,000 as Father Christmas over the last four years by donating a portion of his ‘Santa salary’ to charity as well as collecting extra donations.
He is hoping to beat his charity total from last Christmas as he hosts storytelling sessions at St Mary’s Guildhall every Saturday in December as well as trips to Coombe Abbey Hotel every Sunday.
As well as checking the list twice, his busy schedule also includes visiting Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice as well as flying over to Welford Christmas Tree Farm, where he helps to raise cash for multiple sclerosis charity MS Society.
And he will also be supporting Warwickshire charity Molly Olly’s.
The former police constable and driving instructor has been dubbed ‘the real Santa’ by many Coventry youngsters due to his beard and Christmas spirit.
Paul, originally from Wyken, first donned the famous red suit 30 years ago.
And he is showing no signs of slowing down, with his new year resolves to begin much-needed repairs on his 1957 sleigh and adding to his Santa suit.
Paul said: “I have been Santa for each of the last 30 Christmases but I think 2023 will be one of my busiest yet, so it’s a great opportunity to try and give something back to people who need it at this time of year.
“I started out visiting Coventry schools as Father Christmas in the 1990s before heading out to other places in the Midlands.
“Once I got started and grew out the beard, which usually gets going from July onwards, it felt like a calling.
“The responses you get from children and families can be really heartwarming, and I find it such a rewarding and enjoyable experience that I have no plans to stop any time soon, especially when the fundraising has become such a central part of it.”
