APPRECIATIVE of support from the Flagstone community, Claire Wilkinson is sharing the Christmas spirit with children with special needs and their families.
Ms Wilkinson and husband David Rochford do Santa photos for free, with sitting times for children who could not cope with shopping centre crowds and queues.
Mum of three Samantha Daley said it was the first time 10-year-old Silvan had a photo with Santa.
“He can’t cope with crowds and noise from lots of people, so in the past I have just taken my girls,” she said.
Ms Daley said she read about the Flagstone Santa on Facebook and had set up a time with Ms Wilkinson.
She said with a few people present, Silvan was calm.
“Most families are able to get pictures with Santa and are excited about it,” she said.
“With special needs kids, it’s not that easy.”
Ms Wilkinson, a professional photographer, was struck by a one-in-a-million disease caused by a parasite that can live in water getting into her eye.
Last year the community raised money for her to go to London for treatment.
Her condition continues to be a daily struggle, with the couple on a pension as a a result.
Ms Wilkinson said they had first put up Christmas lights years ago, then offered the Santa photos.
“I don’t like to receive and I do like to give back so we do what we can,” she said.
“It is wonderful to see the joy on parents’ faces when they get the photos and videos.”
Mr Rochford said a cousin of his has severe disabilities and had missed out on so much growing up.
“This is our way of creating a sense of spirit in our community,” he said.
The couple does the pictures for children with special needs on certain nights, by appointment, and for the general public on other days.
Ms Wilkinson can be contacted by messaging her on Facebook here.
