Christmas: Tata Steel Santa inducted into Hall of Fame

The journey began back in 2017, when Allan, a tax adviser at Tata Steel, received a phone call from a colleague, asking if he would be Santa for the company’s Christmas parties.

“I’ve absolutely no idea why he thought I’d be any good,” he said with a chuckle as he stroked his white beard.

After a few “warm-up gigs” and the parties, he became Steelworks Santa, received lots of positive feedback and was considering doing it again the following year.

But, in 2018, his colleague Alex Kalinik died suddenly a week before his wedding, sparking Allan’s fundraising goals.

“Alex absolutely adored Christmas,” said Allan.

“His funeral was Christmas themed, and Father Christmas attended.

“His parents said Alex would have been over the moon to know his hero had been at his funeral.”

From there, Allan, 63, and Sharon, 58, started doing a variety of events, such as photo shoots, breakfast with Santa, tea with Santa and Christmas grottos.

This year, he has even been asked to be involved in a Seaside Santa shoot, bringing the festivities forward.

They pick a UK and a local charity each year, and started with British Heart Foundation in memory of Alex.

Other causes to benefit over the years include Sandville Self Help Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Hope Rescue.