Santas on jetskis take over Gold Coast Broadwater for kids in care
A heartwarming Christmas tradition has delivered crucial support to foster children who face the holidays without families to call their own.
The Gold Coast’s Broadwater was awash with red and green as more than 100 Santas, elves and grinches churned through the water on their summer sleighs for charity on Sunday.
The annual Santa Jetski Ride raises funds and awareness for For Kids In Care, which provides Christmas gifts for children in residential care.
The spectacle kicked off from the northern Broadwater Parklands boat ramp at 8.30am, looped around Chevron Island and returned under the Sundale Bridge about an hour later, with locals lining prime viewing spots along the route.
Charity co-founder and event director Jane Patten said $10,000 had been raised so far.
“It’s a simple concept – to give a little bit of magic to kids in residential care at Christmas,” she said.
“They get 24-hour supervision with carers – but they’re not with a family, so we give them a big bag of gifts and hopefully they get a little bit of magic for Christmas,” she said.
“Without the support, without community donations … we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
Among the first‑timers this year were Merelyn Cleland and her foster son Kyle Fuz.
“It was amazing, I absolutely loved every minute of it … it’s just a good vibe and good weather,” Ms Cleland said.
Mr Fuz said after growing up in the foster care system himself, the charity was close to his heart.
“It’s so awesome – we’ve had so many skiers come down today and give back to the community and give back to kids in care.”
