'Barefoot Santa' spreads cheer for 18th year despite personal struggles, PTSD
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For hours a week, 10 weeks before Christmas, he stands barefoot dressed in Santa garb madly waving at passing motorists on one of the busiest highways in the country.
Gympie's Colin Betts, 57, who doesn't profess to be the big man himself but rather his little brother, said the annual dress up began 18 years ago.
"My beard starting going grey and a little kid in the aisle at Coles and she said 'Oh look Mum, that's Santa Claus' and she said 'Oh no, no don't say that', she felt embarrassed.
"I said 'It's okay Ma'am, I'm Santa's little brother.
"I mean c'mon, Santa's Santa, you can't take the thunder off him."
Ever since for Mr Betts, it has been about sharing joy and cheer at the most festive time of the year. He said the public's response to him over the years had been "jolly great".
You'll catch him barefoot because, "I don't wear shoes very often at all" in the streets, stores and even standing for hours in the blazing hot sun on one of the busiest stretches of Queensland's Bruce Highway.
Traditionally he starts the countdown 10 weeks out from Christmas Day "because kids can't relate to anymore than 10 because they've got 10 fingers. It helps them work their numbers out".
But there's something on offer too for the bigger kids at heart.
"The kids — the ones that don't believe in Santa — and the teenagers can be a bit of a handful and I've got a joke for them too, and they all come out laughing.
"And that's what it's all about, laughter, family and getting together.
"Santa to us all has some meaning.
"It's that time of year you can get out and spread good cheer and wave and it costs nothing to wave back and be nice."
Wishes from toys to parents
Over his years donning the big red suit in Queensland and interstate, Mr Betts has heard almost every Christmas wish possible for the latest toys.
But then there's the wishes that money can't buy.
"There are others that really stops the whole place when they say they want mummy or daddy back that's passed away and gone to heaven.
"That can get a bit hard sometimes," he said.
"I had a six-year-old come to me and say she didn't want a present because there's plenty of poor people in the world and she wants her presents given to the poor people.
"And when she stood back she said 'Can you please give a hug to the poor people from her?', and I said 'Yes I will', because it's her world."
With limited technological prowess, he fumbles his way through keeping up to date with children's ever-changing toy requests.
"I can get the children to talk about what it is that that toy does and it surprises me," he laughed.
"'Oh yes, that's right I remember now' I say.
"I've heard the people in the line-ups laughing on several occasions and that's what it's all about."
On Facebook, one Santa photo participant commented: "Santa you made my kids laugh today. We were the family that made you lie on the floor! My daughter said, 'ask him, bet he won't do it'. But you did with numerous poses. Thank you so much. You were great."
Mr Betts, who has a Blue Card, said when he walks through town, he's easily recognised.
Behind the smile
But behind his smile, the man in the big red suit who calls Gympie in south-east Queensland home, there lies a quiet sadness.
In August last year, he lost his belongings and beloved best mate, dog Elu, in a house fire. He also battles PTSD.
He said it's been a slow process, "baby steps" to get his life back on track.
"I'm getting over a big hill very slowly, it's a personal battle," he said, adding that he has a new four-legged companion "Rosie" by his side.
"I'm no 'Robinson Crusoe', a lot of people have it and there is help out there."
He said focussing on spreading cheer and happiness to others helped him in the dark times.
"I like to keep people happy ma'am, people are my support and they don't know, but their smile is my support and when they do it, I do it too."
So after hearing everyone else's wish for Christmas, what's on Santa's little brother's list?
"Peace on Earth," he said.
"A lot more people that can join with people, there's a lot of homeless people out there and we can understand that there's a lot of people below us that need a little bit of a smile, or help and gratitude, that's all they need from people.''
Topics: gympie-4570, maroochydore-4558
