Raymond Gregory Thorp has been working hard to ensure there’s no shortage of Christmas Cheer in Melton this year, whether it’s volunteer Santa work, his intricate miniature village, toy-building or fielding letters to Santa, he said he “does it all for the kids”.
Mr Thorp’s career in Christmas work is long and broad – this year, he has set up his Christmas Village, which he estimates its worth more than $30,000, and takes about three days to build with help form other residents at Ingenia Gardens, where he lives.
On top of this, Mr Thorp hand-crafts wooden blocks and small chairs as gifts for kids, answers letter to ‘Santa Ray’ and has filled in for the big-man at various places including Scout clubs, Bunnings, Ingenia Gardens and shopping centres.
“Santa work is hard work but I enjoy it very much,” he said.
Letters to Santa Ray can also be placed in the mailbox outside the Ingenia Gardens community room or posted to:
Santa Ray
67/23 Coburns Road, Brookfield Vic 3338
Don’t forget to put a name and address on the back so that Santa Ray can write back to the kids.
