PAUL and Helen Arkley are gearing up for their busiest Christmas yet.
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The Cooranbong couple are among Santa’s most important helpers.
When they don their custom-made suits, the Arkleys become Santa and Mrs Claus.
It’s then that the magic happens.
‘’We just feel that we have these natural skills with children,” Mrs Arkley said.
“They’re attracted to us, and we’re attracted to them.”
Mr Arkley first dressed up as Santa, reluctantly, for workmates at the BHP Social Club Christmas party in 1991.
It was only when he later appeared at his grandson’s child care centre that he discovered his festive calling.
“The people at the centre recommended me to two other groups on the Central Coast, and it took off from there,” Mr Arkley said.
When three children’s centres each offered Mr Arkley $20 for his appearance, he decided his mission would be to raise money for Kaleidoscope, at John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
‘’Since 1993 we’ve been able to donate over $40,000 to Kaleidoscope,” he said.
“And last year alone we raised $5228 through donations into our collection buckets.”
The Arkleys, both aged 71, hope to improve on that number this year.
“We’ve got 28 appointments this year between Erina and Rutherford,” Mr Arkley said.
Mrs Arkley said she transformed from Santa’s chauffeur to Mrs Claus in 2010.
She’s become particularly astute at answering the children’s tricky questions about all things Santa.
She also has a knack for winning over nervous or frightened children.
It’s simply a matter of practice, she said.
“We’ve raised three beautiful and healthy children ourselves, we have five grandchildren, and we used to mind local children for working mothers in our home,” she said.
In recent years, the Arkleys have been an integral part of the Christmas house decorations on Eighth Avenue at Toukley.
A resident of Eighth Avenue invited them to set up on his verandah and become living ornaments among the lights and static displays.
See them on Eighth Avenue this year on December 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 and 23, from 6.30pm to 9pm.