BY MICHELE CANNING SMITH

DRESS up as Santa next month and you could be a world record holder in the Guinness Book of Records.

And if that's not encouragement enough you will be helping to raise much needed funds for four worthy charities.

On December 9th, an attempt to smash the world record for the number of Santas congregated in one place will take place in Derry.

The current record stands at some 6000, held by Liverpool, who will make another attempt the week before Derry's venture. The USA is also attempting the record the day before the gathering in Derry.

Organisers are hoping that 10,000 Santas will turn up at Guildhall Square to join the real Santa Claus, and raise £400,000 for four local charities.

One of those involved is Joe Barber, Manager of Linton and Robinsons, in Strabane. He's a Derry man who is Chairman of the Round Table.

Not only is he donning the Santa suit but he is also one of the organisers and is now appealing for the people of Strabane to dress up as Santa Claus on the day.

He explained that the novel idea is the brainchild of Brian Mullan, who a year ago asked Joe to get involved in the organising committee.

"When he asked me I was delighted to get involved. For the past year we have been building momentum and doing a lot of the groundwork.

"Now we are openly appealing for people from all over the Strabane district to come to Derry on December 9th and take part in our world record attempt.

During the attempt the organisers are aiming to raise a staggering £10,000 each for four charities - the Foyle Hospice, Macmillan, Children in Crossfire and I-Care (which helps autistic children).

"It is an awful lot of money but we need the support of all the people, that's men, women and children, in Strabane to make this attempt successful and to help the charities.

"We already have lot of people from Strabane on board but we need more, we also have people from al over the North, from schools and we have busloads coming from Dublin.

So if you want to get involved in the spirit of Christmas then go to www.10001santas.com and register online.

You can also get application forms from the Foyleside Centre, and at local shops in Strabane including the Sandwich Company, Menarys and Linton & Robinson.

The registration fee is £10, and £2.50 goes to each of the four charities. Sponsorhsip forms are also available.

The Santa suits are provided to all those who get involved and the Foyleside currently has 14,000 suits ready to distribute.

'On December 9th, an attempt to smash the world record for the number of Santas in one place will take place in Derry.'