Letters to Santa are a longstanding tradition for children across the country to tell Father Christmas their secret hopes and wishes for Christmas Day. One very lucky seven-year-old was given an extra special Christmas when the local postman brought a response back from Santa.
Mum Danika, from Norwich, filmed the moment her daughter Alanah opened the letter from Father Christmas, just two days after giving her list to postman Johnny Wilson, 41.
The little girl had handwritten her Christmas list filled with all the gifts she wanted this year and addressed it to go to the North Pole with the help of her mum.
Her excitement is visible as Danika, 33, reads her the response from Santa Claus, telling her what a good girl she has been this year and asking her to leave out carrots for the reindeer.
Postman Jonny said: "I've been a postie for 16 and a half years and I love my job. Alanah waited at the door on Saturday 3rd of December holding a letter addressed to Santa at the North Pole.
"The look of excitement just pulled on my heartstrings. I just couldn't let the letter be destroyed knowing she wouldn't receive a reply!
"On Sunday I woke up and started looking for some templates online and I managed to find a great one. So on Monday, I printed it, popped it in an envelope and took it with me so I could post it back to Alanah on the day.
"I was totally surprised by the reaction, I was just doing my job!"
In Alanah’s letter, she requested crafts, pamper gifts and "vans like mummy" from Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and the elves.
The mum said she couldn’t believe it when Jonny posted a response as it made her daughter’s face light up with joy.
She said: "I thought it was a good idea for Alanah to give her North Pole letter to Jonny. Alanah was so over-the-moon and excited when she received a response in the post.
"Even I was amazed! Jonny could definitely be Britain’s best postie. He does a lot of charity work for the Make A Wish charity and will do what he can to achieve his targets.
"He’s done marathons, dressed up, grown his hair and a beard - all for a good cause. I was very touched that he went out of his way to do this for my daughter - as it’s made her Christmas.
"The response on social media has been incredible too - the post has received over 200 likes!"
Danika filmed the moment that Alanah opened her letter and handed it to her mum to read it to her. The 33-year-old can be heard saying: "It’s addressed from Santa’s Workshop, North Pole, Santa."
Then she starts reading: "Dearest Alanah, Merry Christmas. It is almost time for me to pack up my sleigh and hit the skis with Rudolph and all the other reindeers.
"I have been checking my nice list and both Mrs Claus and I are happy to see you on the list this year. Remember to go to bed early on Christmas Eve, no peeking!
"Also, please leave carrots out for the reindeer and cookies and milk for me, we get very hungry delivering toys to all the good girls and boys over the world.
"I hope you keep on being your parents' pride of joy plus an inspiration to other kids. Your friend, Santa Claus. PS. I loved the cookies last year, any chance you have more of those?"
Alanah can then be seen giggling with joy and excitement.
Jonny said of the kind gesture: "It feels as though with all the strikes there doesn’t feel like there’s much hope for postmen and women but that doesn’t mean we can't give hope to others and keep their dreams alive.
"My customers always support me with my fundraising. If I can reply to them with small tokens of love, I'm more than happy to do that!"
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