LEGACY OF MR X ...WALES’ ANSWER TO SANTA CLAUS
WHAT does a renowned classicalcal singer get her best friend for Christmas? A jumpermper maybe? Only pr oblem is th at B BC Radio C ymru presenter Shan Cothi’s pal is a horse called Caio. Her listeners teamed up w ithth S ave the Children Wales to knit six -inchh squares, sewn together to create the huge ge woolly pullover for the Welsh Cob. Thejumper was pr esented to M Ms s Cothi on her pr ogramme ahead ad of the charity’s Christmas Jumper r Day on December 16. She said: “I was am azed by the colour and cr aftmanship that had gone in to making the jumper, with knitted squar es decor ated w withith snowmen, Chr istmas tr ees, S ave the Children’s logo and C aio’s n ame,” me,” sh she e said. “I love it!” The charity said the idea captur ed dhthe Welsh Wlh public’s imagination. Hundreds of squar es arrived at its officefromall corners of the country, as well as donations. Shân, who set up ch arity Amser J ustin Time in 2008 to raise awareness of Pancreatic Cancer, in memor y of her h usband, was gr ateful to the public for embracing the challenge. “Caio and I are very proud to have been able to help such a good cause,” she said. To re gister and re ceive your Sa ve the Children fundr aising pack full of creativ e ideas, go to www.christmasjumperday.org
FOR decades his anonymous acts of generosity brought joy to thousands of underprivileged children in South Wales at Christmas. Known only as Mr X, Wales’ answer to Santa spent 57 years delivering thousands of presents annually to deserving children in Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthenshire, thanks to public donations.
His true identity – Tom Bravin, a former retail manager and father of four – was only revealed following his death this year at the age of 92.
Now those few who did know him have vowed to continue his legacy.
Like their founder, volunteers collecting gifts, distributing names and taking calls for the Mr X Appeal are all anonymous.
So far 4,500 presents have been collected this winter for disadvantaged children.
One volunteer told us: “It’s going brilliantly, and we are about on par with what we normally receive, but we are even now getting lots of phone calls from people all over Wales asking us if they can still donate presents.”
Before his death, Mr Bravin, pictured, had set up a small team who had been running the appeal for the past five years.
The volunteer added: “It is a really lovely thing that the legacy is continuing and so important for the kids because without these presents a lot of them would go without.
“It makes sure they have something to open on Christmas Day.”
The group tries to get two presents for each identified underprivileged child who would otherwise not have anything to open on December 25.
At the Mr X headquarters three “landfills” of presents have grown, with items including dolls, teddy bears, games, and even a bike given by one generous donor.
The volunteer said: “Without all these supporters, it just wouldn’t happen. It’s really a fantastic appeal and helps so many children.
“We must say a big thank you to them all. It’s the people donating who are making the difference.”
Mr Bravin’s family revealed that right until the end of his life he put others before himself, refusing to go to hospital despite having heart and other issues because he did not want to leave his beloved dog Timmy.
He received an MBE from the Queen for his many years of fundraising, which began when he lived in Plymouth.
The Christmas appeal includes a number of businesses, too, including insurers Admiral, whose staff have just donated 2,500 gifts to the appeal.
When Mr X collected the presents staff lined three floors with the gifts and sang Christmas carols as they were being collected.
Admiral’s Angela Macdonald said: “It has been wonderful to see my colleagues donating presents throughout the years and this year staff have gone above and beyond.
“The thought of a child going without a gift at Christmas just resonates with so many people. Our staff have been very generous with their gift donations, some giving a whole bag of presents to their chosen child.”
Swansea’s Starbucks stores on Oxford Street, Fabian Way and Morfa Retail Park stores have also been helping with the appeal, and have collected more than 100 presents, which will be distributed to local children supported by Barnardo’s and the Mr X appeal.
To donate to the Mr X Christmas appeal, call 01792 523885, 01792 863400, 07982243402 or 07974689383.