FOR the last seven years Ian Becker has been putting smiles on the faces of students at the Frankston Special Developmental School by dressing up as Santa.
For his Santa duties in 2023, Becker has put his carpentry skills to use by building his own sleigh. The sleigh is powered uniquely by a disability scooter.
Becker said his annual visits to the school makes the children happy. “They loved it,” he said. “I’ve been doing it there at least seven years – my sister-in-law was the bursar there for 45 years and when she found out I was doing Santa things she asked the principal if I could come.
“I have a beard I let grow to a decent length before Christmas. I have been doing it for 20 years now, I used to do it at our church.”
Becker, a carpenter by trade, said the sleigh took him a week to build. He was assisted by an elf, his grandson James (pictured with Becker above).