Friends transform campervan into 'mobile Santa's grotto' to hand out Christmas presents in Sheffield

Pete Conn donned his grandad’s 35-year-old Father Christmas suit and got into a kitted-out campervan filled with selection boxes, books and toys with his friend Ash Novak.

The two best friends, along with their partners Zara and Zoe, Ash’s brother-in-law Gavin and their six-year-old sons Emmett and Olly, drove down every road in Shiregreen on Saturday and Sunday, giving out more than 2,500 free presents to families on the way.

In the process they also raised more than £500 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Women’s Refuge and Bluebell Wood Hospice.

And they are due to head to the hospital and a care home today (December 21) to hand out the left over selection boxes and spread the Christmas cheer even further. Others are being given to Ecclesfield Morrisons food bank.

Pete said: “It all started out as a joke. Ash and I saw that all the grottos were getting cancelled and we usually take our kids. So we just said why don’t we do up the van and drive around doing it ourselves?

"The next thing we knew we were doing it.

“Everybody in Shiregreen came together to make it happen. We started getting donations. One person donated 600 selection boxes.

"It was overwhelming really. It was very emotional and it made me proud to live in Shiregreen.

"It was such a buzz driving and giving the presents out. There were so many little babies seeing Santa for the first time. Parents were crying and kids were bouncing around.

"I think everybody needed that lift this year. A lot of people have lost their jobs and some families are really struggling.

"We were contacted by the council who told us about three families who were really in need to we kitted them all out with presents and a lump sum of money to help them this Christmas as well.”

Pete, Ash and their friends spent twelve hours over the weekend driving round giving out presents.

They were out until 9pm yesterday (Sunday, December 20) and then had to clean up the van. Pete had to get up at 4.30am today (Monday 21) to start his shift at work at Gripple.

“We are all really tired but it was worth it. I am just really proud of everybody in Shiregreen,” he said. “People have messaged us saying they never usually talk to people in the street but at the weekend everybody was coming together and talking and wishing each other merry Christmas.

"Everybody was brilliant with social distancing. We made the rules and they were followed.

"We would do it again. If that is what people want next year then we are open to it.

“My Grandad was proud to see me in his old suit as well, which was a nice touch.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to continue to collect donations for the Children’s Hospital. You can donate here.