Jenny Jones’ Santa Run a sweet treat for Cairns on Christmas Eve
Handing out lollies and season’s greetings, Jenny Jones has chalked up another festive season in the red suit when she completed her Christmas run on December 24.
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Handing out lollies and season’s greetings, Jenny Jones has chalked up another festive season in the red suit when she completed her Christmas runs over the weekend.
In the steamy heat, it takes dedication to don all the gear, but Ms Jones said it was an honour, and even her dog joined in with its own Santa suit.
On Friday the annual Santa run made its way through the streets of Trinity park and then on to Palm Cove, distributing lollies and leaving a stream of excited, sugared-up children in their wake.
Ms Jones estimated the joy of Christmas was spread to approximately 130 lucky children.
“The more sweets we give out the better,” she said with a jolly laugh.
“We estimated about 130 kids today and lots more Saturday when we went to Kewarra Beach,” she said.
“We gave away about $260 worth of lollies, they get big handfuls.”
As soon as the sound of her bells and a jolly “ho, ho, ho” are heard, children come running, keen to see her crew of elves and enjoy a sweet treat.
She said the Santa run was now an important part of her festive season.
“I do this every Christmas Eve to bring cheer and lollies to local children,” she said.
She said she started her own tradition in Darwin with Mick Steele and two old racehorses.
“We used to walk the highway there. It was a success there, buses were stopping and we decided to do it here in Cairns when we moved here.”
Mick is still involved, and now friends Max and Nadine Francis have joined in.
“They own the trike and the Mustang and they offered to do the run with us to make it more appealing, and it’s gone from there,” Ms Jones said.
“It’s got bigger each year, and the children Ava, Maggie and Carlos are the three elves that help me out.”
Ms Jones who grew up on a station of two million acres on the edge of the Tanami Desert, said being one of Santa’s helpers reminded her of the good times when her father used to get someone to dress up as Mr Claus.
“Santa would step out from behind trees as we were coming along and we got such a thrill out of that,” she said.
“I used to hire a Santa from Rotary, but I decided I’d start doing it around the kids’ homes, I think it makes a happier touch.”
It’s a huge effort and cost for Ms Jones who is a pensioner, but she said she would not have it any other way.
“I love doing this because of my memories from childhood, “ she said.
“I love seeing their smiles and having their faces light up when they see us coming.
“And I like to put smiles the faces of kids and their parents.”
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