The joy of Christmas giving could be Roy’s last

Photo: ANTHONY MILLER

SECRET Santa with a heart of gold: Roy Taylor.

SHAW’S secretive Santa Roy Taylor has been bringing surprise seasonal joy to Oldhamers for many years.

His random acts of Christmas kindness — anonymously handing out hundreds of envelopes containing a £10 note to Oldham shoppers — has become as traditional in the town as turkey and mince pies.

But this year’s handout to delighted Aldi shoppers in Shaw was tinged with deep sadness,

For the kind-hearted great-grandad, who saves all year for his annual gift-giving and has handed out thousands of ounds, has been told he has terminal cancer.

Despite gruelling chemotherapy treatment and many hospital appointments, he was determined to do his handout one last time.

“I wasn’t sure I could manage it this year,” said Roy, who began his clandestine Santa Claus antics after turning his life around following a heart attack around 10 years ago.

“I’ve not been too good but I thought why not? So I handed it out in Aldi on Monday. I just love seeing people’s faces when I give them the envelope, but I don’t wait to see them opening it. I know it’s not much, but I know it makes a difference to some.”

Excited recipient Pamela Henthorn couldn’t wait to ring the Chronicle to tell us about the big-hearted stranger who had just pushed an envelope into her hand saying: “Secret Santa — enjoy”.

“I was just walking down the aisle when this smart gentlemen handed it to me. I put it in my shopping bag but when I got to the tills everyone was buzzing about these envelopes so I opened it and found £10 inside.”

“He has done something so wonderful and I want to say a big thank-you to him. It’s a lovely gesture.”

Roy’s daughter Debbie Morris says the family were devastated over the news about their father, who has raised thousands for charity in recent years. His secret Santa act was so secret he didn’t even tell them he was doing it this year.

“I just happened to be in Aldi and heard these two women talking about this man handing out envelopes,” said Debbie.

“Dad was diagnosed with lung and secondary cancer and given 8-12 months back in May. It was massive shock to us all as he didn’t really have any symptoms.

“He does his secret Santa because he loves the feeling of knowing it makes someone happy and in turn it makes him happy.

“He’s a really, really strong guy with a heart of gold and hopefully that will help him through this. He puts lot into life and has had a lot out of it, we’re all there for him.”

Roy, who has 12 grandchildren, one great grandchild and a host of foster children who consider him “their granddad”, says: “I’d don’t think there’ll be another year but you never know I might surprise them!