Santa Claus surprises Beeston children with gifts leaving them 'beaming with joy'

Father Christmas paid a visit to the Beeston Longroyds community on Sunday, handing out gifts including toys, video games and chocolate selection boxes.

Gareth Clark got the call from the North Pole and was enlisted by Father Christmas himself to help deliver the presents with a team of volunteers from local Facebook group Friends of Hunslet Moor.

As children were unable to visit Santa this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, the group's chairwoman Brenda Barlow posted an appeal for gifts online and was inundated with donations from local residents and businesses.

Despite torrential rain, Santa and his team flew down to Beeston and visited families on their doorsteps, following social distancing rules and handing out free gifts.

Gareth, 37, said the event brought joy to families in the community after what has been a difficult year for many.

The father-of-two said: “The children were ecstatic, absolutely over the moon. Their faces were beaming with joy, they were so amazed.

“We walked down the street with a speaker blaring music out, shouting ‘ho ho ho’ to let know everyone know that Santa had arrived!