Why Santa’s ditched his sleigh for a big red helicopter

While the sleigh’s good for rooftops, Santa required something more fit-for-purpose to deliver hundreds of gifts for those at sea half a world away from home this Christmas.

Santa came calling on seafaring crews stationed on bulk carriers anchored offshore, bearing gift parcels from the Mackay community.

Those on Santa’s nice list came from all over the world, including as far as Russia.

Stella Maris Seafarers Centre Mackay organised the aerial present drops containing about 800 parcels with help from Auriga Aviation and its helicopter.

Santa (aka Charlie Densley) and his red ‘sleigh’ visited four ships on Thursday, December 22, and another four again on Friday, December 23.

Centre manager Pauline Harris and Auriga administration officer Sophie Copping helped load the gifts at Old Mackay Airport.

Santa (Charlie Densley of Auriga Aviation) loaded this helicopter with gifts for the seafaring crews of four bulk carriers anchored off Mackay on Friday, December 23, 2022. Picture: Andrew Kacimaiwai

“They come from all the world,” Ms Harris said.

“We have Greeks, Turks, Filipinos, Ukrainians, Russians … obviously, the Ukrainians can’t go home right now so they’re heading to Poland.”

She said crews typically spend nine months at sea with six-month stints for engineers and masters.

“Most spend many months at sea to earn a living for their families back home so it’s our mission to send a little Christmas cheer to show that they are not forgotten.”

Santa (Charlie Densley), pilot Geoff Shaw, Sophie Copping (all of Auriga Aviation) and Pauline Harris (Stella Maris Seafarers Centre Mackay). Picture: Andrew Kacimaiwai

As part of Stella Maris’ Christmas Shoebox Appeal, volunteers packed gifts for the crews of these vessels anchored off Mackay, Hay Point, Dalrymple Bay and Abbot Point.

Each parcel contained items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razer, shampoo, socks, soap, biscuits, nail clippers and a little something extra like a beanie, quiz book or scarf.

Ms Harris said Catholic primary and secondary schools are involved in putting the gift parcels together, starting from October but they also received donations from the wider community.

“We’ve been organising shore leave and helping with crew swaps,” she said.

The centre has organised the Christmas drops to seafaring crews for almost 15 years; last year was the first time they decided to use a helicopter.