As Oscar Sheard grew older, his mum dreaded the time her youngest child would stop believing in Father Christmas. When the moment came, though, his reaction delighted her - he decided to turn Santa himself and give presents to children less fortunate than himself.
Oscar, 10, saved up £30 of pocket money and bought gifts to donate to the salvation army. And with donations from family members and friends he has been able to give nearly 100 presents.
Mum Emma, from Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire, said: “I was dreading the moment Oscar no longer believed in Santa. I was frightened of the change from that magical childhood belief.
“When Oscar came to me and said he no longer believed, I told him what I have with my other two children. I said there are two parts to Santa - the part where you believe in the magic and the bit where you are the magic.
“I told him it was his turn to create magic for others so that it doesn’t spoil it for believers. He came back to me and asked, ‘What happens if parents can’t buy gifts for their children?’
“I was honest with him but told him that there are lots of charities that help out and I personally have always donated a gift at Christmas. I said he could too, and it snowballed from there.
“Oscar’s best trait has always been his empathy and perceptions - I’m very proud but not surprised. He’s a little Santa.”
Oscar has put together a collection of gifts including books, crayons, jigsaws and toys to give to children who may not otherwise receive presents at Christmas. He will hand them over to the charity during the first week in December.
“I found out people are less fortunate, and I want to help them," he said. “When I did believe I remember being so excited running down the stairs and seeing presents under the tree.
“I put myself in the shoes of kids who didn’t get that, and it must be really sad. The magic is still going - I’m just being Santa.”
Emma says she and her family are now experiencing "a different kind of magic". She is even receiving donations from customers at the gas engineering business she runs with Oscar's father Dave.
“I asked Oscar if he was disappointed to no longer believe in Santa and he said no being Santa is far better,” Emma said. It’s nice that he wants to do this for other kids.
“I couldn’t imagine how heartbreaking it is to not afford presents for your children. If you can afford to donate an extra gift this Christmas, we hope we inspire you to do that.
“For those that need support, there is no shame in asking for help if you need it."
