Biking, running and treasure hunts as day of fun on Lamma builds community bonds
Island Bar takes annual charity effort for Operation Santa Claus to ‘next level’ with host of events to bring local residents together
For the 12th year in a row, Jim Burkett donned a fake white beard and a Santa hat to entertain both children and adults, rounding off a day of fun and charity on Lamma Island.
The Lamma resident said he was intrigued by the gift requests he received from children.
“The best thing is when kids ask me for presents,” he said. “A seven year old once asked me for a yacht. Another wanted peace in the world.”
For more than a decade, Burkett has played Santa during the closing ceremony of the traditional treasure hunt at The Island Bar, which was held on Sunday.
The event has been held for 18 years as part of Operation Santa Claus, the charity campaign jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK.
But this year, Brad Tarr, the bar’s new owner, said it was even bigger, and he hoped to raise more than HK$20,000 for the charity’s 23 local beneficiaries.
“After I took over the bar, I pledged to take the event to the next level and raise as much as possible,” he said.