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Real Santa Claus Climbs Sydney Harbour Bridge; Nine News Hits The Ho Ho Ho Target - 14th December 2011

For the first time ever the real Santa Claus visited Australia before Christmas Eve!

Santa parked his sleigh and reindeer at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport yesterday, and this morning he took the world famous BridgeClimb walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with a few very lucky media joining in the fun.

Upon reaching the summit of the climb the Channel Nine News helicopter showed up, catching the world exclusive.

Santa broke into song and did his customary Ho Ho Ho's which were heard far and wide.

Santa is spreading the Christmas spirit and making sure all good kids of all ages get some presents, by teaming up with Target and UnitingCare’s Operation Santa Christmas Appeal. It's the 20th Anniversary of the appeal and the need was more than ever before Santa tipped.

A Sydney based media agent who enjoyed the trip with Santa and the other lucky bridge climbers whispered to other media attending "This is one of the better community initiatives I've seen from corporate Australia teaming up with a charity in quite some time. Top marks to Target, UnitingCare, BridgeClimb, Splash News & Photos, and Channel Nine for getting the exclusive. It's great to see such generosity of heart and spirit at a time in Australia which its so badly needed. I hope other community based organisations and corporates follow the lead".

Now parents (and children) who are not sure whether to believe in the real Santa Claus, you might want to skip this part of the news, as it contains some top secret Santa information...

Every year in Gällivare, Lapland, Sweden, the official international ‘Santa Claus of the Year’ is chosen by an ‘Order of Santa’s’ during the Santa Winter Games. Fourteen Santa’s including their personal assistants from countries such as Holland, Colombia, France, Japan and Germany compete for this coveted title. (Qualifying rounds are held in each country).

The 2011 winner, Stefan Veroude from Holland was anointed by the ‘Order of Santas’ and is officially Santa Clause for the following year.

Stefan is a consummate musical performer and has sung with the likes of Andre Rieu.

Santa Claus says this will be the first time he has ever seen Australia in daylight. "I am going to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit some children in hospital and play with some kangaroos and koalas. Surfing on Bondi may be a little too adventurous. I am a little busy at this time of year".

"We are so excited to host Santa Claus when he visits Australia," said Dene Rogers, Managing Director of Target. "When it comes to international celebrities, there really is no one bigger at this time of year".

"Christmas is the season for giving. Santa Claus would love all Australians to support the Operation Santa Christmas Appeal. In partnership with UnitingCare, and now in its 20th year, together we have distributed 1.7 million gifts to disadvantaged people in local communities. Donate a gift at Target and show Santa we all care".

WHERE TO SEE SANTA CLAUS:

Thursday 15 December - Sydney
Bridge Climb - 7.00am - 9.00am
Target Chatswood 10.00am - 11.00am
Target Castle Hill 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Target Eastgardens 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Target Miranda - 5.00pm - 6.00

Friday 16 December - Melbourne
Royal Hospital for Children - 9.00am - 10.00am (TBC)
Target Melbourne - 10.30am - 11.30am
Target Highpoint - 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Target Geelong - 5.00pm - 6.00pm

Lastly, a special thanks to the good folks at BridgeClimb, Target Australia, Drew at AC Agency, and you Santa, for making today possible. Merry Christmas everyone.

Message For Media Man From Messages On Hold Man!

Hi Greg Tingle

Every year I drench my home in colourful Christmas lights and synchronise them to music. Many of the Messages On Hold team have helped out with this year's display and I promise you, it's spectacular! You can even forward it to your friends and loved ones as a free Christmas eCard by clicking the 'send to a friend' button.

Watch the video

It's taken around 500 man hours to build using 65,000 LEDs and 7kms of cabling. Last year we raised $27k for the local children's hospital and if you love the video, the Princess Margaret Hospital would certainly appreciate any donation you care to make.

And just finally, if you'd like to watch the 'behind-the-scenes' web series on the making of the World's Best Christmas Lights, join the facebook group here.

Kind regards

Kym Illman | Managing Director

Messages On Hold

Australia: 08 9260 4400
Singapore: 6220 9839
Website: www.messagesonhold.com.au/lights

Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday observed generally on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. The date is not known to be the actual birthday of Jesus, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, the date of the Roman winter solstice, or one of various ancient winter festivals. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.

Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians worldwide, and many of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, several similar mythological figures, known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world. (Credit: Wikipedia)