DRESSING up as Santa Claus and Mrs Claus- perhaps two of the most recognisable figures of modern Christmases- is not exactly an easy task, but two Demerara Bank Limited staffers played their roles well for 100 orphans for whom the bank hosted a fun-day and Christmas party on Sunday.

The Pepperpot Magazine encountered the pair at the event and they seemed to be in-tune with their roles as the group of children, who were drawn from four orphanages, gathered at the Indian Monument Gardens located at Church Street and North Road, Georgetown.

Officer-in-Charge of the Foreign Trade Department, Mark Balram, said it is his second time being Santa Claus and he was selected among his peers at the office because of his built.

He related that he did it for the children as it is Christmas but the experience was good since the youngest of the group had a lot of questions for him.

Fielding those questions, Balram said he had to think on his feet because he did not want to shatter the hopes of the children, who often believe that Santa Claus is real.

Balram stated that the younger children were excited to be around him and he had a good time playing with them around the bouncy castle and the trampoline.

He noted that last year was the first time he donned the suit of the jolly ol’ St Nick when the bank staff went to visit. He stated that it was truly quite an experience.

“I would do it anytime for the children because being Santa is fun and the children really like being around Santa Claus and I like to put smiles on their little faces especially at this time of the year,” Balram said.

Meanwhile, Christina Correia, Branch Liaison Officer at Demerara Bank Limited, who dressed as Mrs Claus, told the Pepperpot Magazine that it was her first time and she really enjoyed making the children feel happy and she managed to get along well with the group.

Even though it was just for one day, she explained that she will remember the experience because the children seemed so happy.

For Correia, the reaction of the children was a “Kodak moment” for her when they first saw Santa at their fun-day and Christmas party, and she stated that it was the ‘icing on the cake’ and it was all for the children.

She pointed out that next year they want to do more but she is not sure what they will plan since it’s all about brightening Christmas for the less fortunate.