Put it down to Christmas cheer. When businessman Turmo Rahkone, who has played Santa Claus many times in his native Finland, came across six singing Santas at the Devil's Advocate bar in Wan Chai, he not only joined in the carolling but also donated HK$100 to their cause. The singing Santas were raising money earlier this month for Operation Santa Claus, an annual donation drive organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK. Raising funds through musical Santas was the brainchild of BC Magazine, which for the last three years has hired local music company Katterwall to put on a performance that blends music with comedy. As in the previous two years, the carolling Santas made stops of about 15 minutes each at a string of bars in SoHo, Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai, armed with their songbooks and three collection boxes. The magazine and Katterwall also asked people to buy a Santa suit priced at HK$100 for charity. Bethan Greaves, director of Katterwall, said people were encouraged to give whatever amount they wanted. 'I think we have already collected more money this year,' she said. The total collection will be known early next month. The Santas met up at the Melting Pot on Elgin Street in SoHo district and sang three songs before moving on foot to hit a few bars including Sahara, Enoteca, Cicada, Bacar, Jem and Zinc. They hailed a cab to go to Wan Chai, stopping first at The Canny Man before hitting the White Stag, Devil's Advocate, Joe Bananas, Laguna, Heat and Spicy Fingers. Katterwall, a donor to Operation Santa Claus, held an open-air carolling session earlier this month at the Lan Kwai Fong amphitheatre in the Lok Hing Lane sitting-out area. Not only did the Katterwall singers enjoy themselves, but the guest performers also had their share of fun. Mr Rahkone, the Santa from Finland and a first-time visitor to Hong Kong, also shared a story. Santa Claus was 'originally' from Finland, where he was also known as Joulupukki, he said. 'I think we invented Santa Claus,' said the Finn, who was passing through the city while on a visit to the mainland. '[Santa] lives in Finland. He comes to visit families and hands out presents to children personally on Christmas Eve. Kids sing to Santa and he gives gifts and then kids thank him. Then Santa goes to another place,' he said. Mr Rahkone, who said he had played Santa 'many times' in his native country, was to spend Christmas Day in Germany this year. Santa Claus' 'main residence' is said to be located in the Arctic Circle, about 8km from Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, Finland. Operation Santa Claus, now in its 21st year, is helping 13 groups. Some of the money raised will go to the Post's Homes for Hope project to help victims of the Sichuan earthquake rebuild their homes.