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Meet Leeds's own Mr and Mrs Santa Claus
They are Leeds's own Mr and Mrs Santa Claus.
Andy and Gill Cowans, from Halton Moor, Leeds have come up with an ingenious way of ensuring children from hard-up families can enjoy a toy-laden Christmas – without breaking mum and dad's bank.
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And just like the real Santa Claus, they promise delivery in time for December 25.
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The couple have built up their own Santa's Grotto in the heart of the city and are running an interest-free buying scheme for local families in the lead-up to Christmas.
People can browse hundreds of toys in the Cowans' 3,000 toy mountain including the latest seasonal must-haves like Ben 10 and Hannah Montana spin-offs.
The couple keep their Christmas catalogue in a currently bulging secure storage unit, as their house just isn't big enough to hold all the cuddly animals, cars, games and dolls they have accumulated.
The idea is hardly a moneyspinner – they don't make a penny out of it.
But for hard-up families, who are at constant risk of being targeted by unscrupulous doorstep lenders and loan sharks during the expensive holiday season, it's an interest-free festive blessing from their very own pair of Christmas angels.
Part-time chef Andy, 48, said: "We go out and buy the toys up front, then we sell them on to our friends who we know will be borrowing from doorstep lenders.
"It started as a way of helping people, some of whom were borrowing money at Christmas.
"We started with three or four people locally on the estate. People told their friends and it grew.
"We didn't advertise it but now we have 80 customers."
The Cowans have two children of their own and know full well the financial pressure that the festive season can bring.
Their Toy Club operates via a very simple formula.
Parents attend toy parties at the Cowans' or another friend's home.
They choose what they want and start paying small, affordable weekly instalments. Once the payments are all made, the toys are delivered.
The project is funded by the Leeds Christian Community Trust. Though it doesn't make the Cowans any money, it's earning them plenty of goodwill from the local community. Andy said: "It's an idea we would love to see catch on."
Toy Club currently operates in Halton Moor, Armley, Beeston and East End Park but could expand if there is enough interest.
* To find out more, email Andy at: andycowans200@google mail.com
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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