Christmas: Tata Steel Santa inducted into Hall of Fame

The journey began in 2017 when Allan, a tax consultant at Tata Steel, received a call from a colleague asking if he would be Santa Claus at the company Christmas parties.

“I have absolutely no idea why he thought I was good,” he said, giggling and stroking his white beard.

After a few “warm-up” concerts and parties, he became Steelworks Santa, received a lot of positive feedback and considered doing it again the following year.

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

“Alex absolutely loved Christmas,” said Allan.

“His funeral was Christmas-themed and Santa Claus was present.

“His parents said Alex would have been overjoyed if he had known his hero would be at his funeral.”

From then on, Allan, 63, and Sharon, 58, began organizing a variety of events, including photo shoots, Breakfast with Santa, Tea with Santa and Christmas Grottos.

This year he was even asked to take part in a Seaside Santa shoot to bring the festivities forward.

They choose one UK and one local charity each year and started the British Heart Foundation in memory of Alex.

Other causes that have benefitted over the years include Sandville Self Help Foundation, Alzheimer's Society Cymru and Hope Rescue.

Soon it became a family affair.

Also in the Christmas spirit were her daughter Katie, known as Santa's head elf Candy Cane, as well as her 14-year-old granddaughter Serena, who plays Jingleberry, the aspiring head elf, and her grandson Harrison, 11, head of security for the coal division.

“Everyone is doing their part to spread the Christmas spirit,” said Allan.

Allan and Sharon both have tailor-made suits from a local seamstress.

“I wanted a suit that was different so that hopefully people would reach into their pockets and donate to the charities we support.”

“She's had requests to make costumes for other people, but she says she's just a Santa's wife.”

The first requests come in as early as February. This is also the time when Allan begins to grow his famous Santa beard after going through the “desecration process” on Christmas Eve in order to spend January “as Allan again”.

He said he felt no pressure to play the role because it was a “pleasure to maintain it.”

Allan has had many highlights over the years, most notably a Santa Paws photo shoot with dogs of all sizes, but his favourite stories are about special moments with the young people he interacts with.

“A boy came in and said, 'Santa Claus, when you fly home to the North Pole, when you fly through the sky, can you wave to my mommy in heaven?'”

“This kind of thing makes me melt.”

He remembered another lucky customer who had Down syndrome who asked Santa to find his mother a friend and came back the following year with a stepfather, stepbrother and stepsister.

When in-person events could no longer take place due to Covid lockdowns, Allan learned how to create and edit videos from another Santa on the Santa's Workshop UK network and created more than 200 individual recordings.

“I think since the pandemic, people have changed a bit and are much more excited about things now.

“I always seem to be in Christmas mode.”

Sharon, who works in retail, has a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a rare and incurable cancer of the digestive tract, for which she is receiving chemotherapy at home.

In 2021, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer, which required two surgeries, and she is awaiting a knee replacement due to arthritis.

“She had to go through a lot,” Allan said.

“But she insisted that we continue because it is important, not only for us but also for other people who come after us.”

Allan and Sharon were jointly recognised by Santa's Workshop UK, which inducted them into its Hall of Fame last month.

Allan said the honour “surprised” him as he often feels like an imposter when it comes to the role.

“I think it's great that Sharon and I get recognition together because that's what it's all about. We support each other.”

Sammy Brooks, one of the organization's founders, said it was an easy decision, adding: “I have never before come across a couple whose hearts were as genuine and true as those of the real Santa Claus himself.”

Allan added: “Christmas is a special time of year. When I speak to families I always ask them what is most important to them and they always mention family time – as well as the decorations and presents.

“It's a feeling, and I believe if we could capture that feeling and keep it with us all year round, the world would be a much better place.”