Last Christmas pensioner Ken Godfrey flew 3,500 miles to bring joy to scores of children in New York. He had such a wonderful time, he's off to America again this year. Here he shares his memories of last year's celebrations with LYNETTE PINCHESS but he's not letting on how he will surprise the children this time

Imagine hearing bells jingling and peering out of the window... The unmistakable white beard and red suit... it's Father Christmas and he is there in your driveway in a horse-drawn carriage.

That magical moment really happened to six American children last year. And unbeknown to them Santa will be visiting them again this weekend. The man they know as the REAL Father Christmas, is plain old Ken Godfrey. .

He flew 3,500 miles to the USA last year to give the six adopted children a Christmas they would never forget.

The youngsters' father Patrick Fay said: "He is a wonderful man with a great spirit and has given the Fay family and many others a great gift.
"The children were fixated on him the entire time. It was simply wonderful and magical. Frank Capra, producer of the famous Christmas movie It's A Wonderful Life would have been proud."

The four eldest Fay children first met Ken in Lapland, where he was employed as Father Christmas by Santa tour operator Canterbury Travel. Their parents struck up quite a friendship with Ken after returning to see Santa several years running.

But when Ken gave up his annual job as Father Christmas Mr Fay and his wife Tina had a dilemma on their hands.

Because the children were so convinced he was the real thing, the Fays didn't want to ruin the illusion by having them meet another Santa. So they invited Ken over to America to spread a little Christmas cheer in a country still reeling from the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

And for Ken, it helped soften the blow of spending a difficult first Christmas back home after the death of Florrie, his wife of 52 years. It was a dark and windy night when Father Christmas arrived at the Fays' home, in Pawling, New York State.

His old-fashioned carriage, bedecked with lanterns, was drawn by two huge Percheron horses with big red ribbons woven into their tails, plumes and bells. As it rolled up on the driveway, little Maudie peeped out of the window when she heard the bells.

Ken, who wore an outfit made by Florrie and a beard of yak hair, said: "Five children came rushing at me and held my hands to make sure Father Christmas didn't fall. It was amazing. The little girl said, 'Father Christmas I am so pleased to see you. How did you get here?' I think it was the best Father Christmas I have done. It was wonderful. The atmosphere was so full of love and affection."

As Ken sat in a big chair in front of the fire, the excited children were bursting with questions. How did he get there? Where did he get the carriage? How was Tricky Dicky? (the mischievous elf in Lapland). Did he need the bathroom "since he's got such a long trip"? For the children who had met him in Lapland, it was like a grand reunion, said Mr Fay.

"He spoke quietly and playfully with each of the children, with recollections of toys he had brought them in the past to games they play now. Father Christmas has nicknames for each of the children, which they are very proud of.

"He has an incredible memory. He remembers things from over the years that I myself have forgotten. It's spine-tingling how he does that."

Young Liam was amazed when Father Christmas knew the name he had given his new pony just hours earlier. Father Christmas handed out presents to Neddie, then aged 11, Liam, nine, McKenna, eight, Maudie, six, Niall, four, and 18-month-old Ian.

Ken, 77, is remaining tight-lipped about what he has got in store for the Fay youngsters on Sunday night but he promised: "It will be something entirely different." There is just one downside to his visit though, as Mr Fay explained.

"My only regret is that we can't have Ken visit our home and be with us as himself.
"We have thought about whether we could get away with having him spend Christmas with us as his normal everyday self.
"Even though he may not be recognised by the kids at first sight, we feel that as soon as he speaks, his unmistakable wonderful Father Christmas voice will give it all away."

However, Ken enjoyed a festive dinner with Mr Fay's aunt and her friends after a traditional New York Christmas morning watching ice skaters in Central Park and having a hot dog.

As well as being Father Christmas for the family, he made a special appearance at a party for the children of Mr Fay's employees at Dutch bank ABN-AMRO in New York.

Ken said: "They had never seen a Father Christmas like me. They were used to the Ho Ho Ho kind. I was the wise, kindly old gentleman full of homilies."

This year he is also hoping to visit children's wards at two New York hospitals. Last year Ken took time out of his busy schedule to visit Ground Zero, which he said was incredibly moving.
"I was immediately struck by the sombre atmosphere which pervaded the entire area where I stood.
"There was a collective feeling of utter disbelief and heartfelt grief for all those involved."