By Jamie White – Head of Communications

A team member from Douglas Stafford will be taking to the water this weekend – dressed as Santa Claus!

Chris Boothby, who works in the Video Editing and Quality Control Department at the company’s Lakeside North Harbour Head Office, is taking part in a special kayak challenge to raise money for ITV’s Text Santa campaign.

On Saturday (6th) Chris, a keen kayaker, will join around 35 other people at Portsmouth Watersports Centre to kayak around Langstone Harbour – wearing Santa Claus costumes over their wetsuits.

Each participant has paid £15 which will go towards the Text Santa campaign, in association with ITV, and the RNLI.

Chris said: “My interest in kayaking started during the London Olympics in 2012, when I was given two tickets to go to Lee Valley White Water Centre to watch some of the competition. Early in 2013, I did some taster sessions with Portsmouth Watersports Centre followed by completing the BCU Star 1 qualification during the summer.

“I love it – it’s great exercise and fantastic to be out on the open water. I have plans to eventually go to Saklikent Gorge in Turkey, and I might even be doing some kayaking in Asia in February, as part of a trip for my 30th birthday.”

“The money is going to some good causes through Text Santa. I am especially pleased that the RNLI will get a bit of support being that they look after the people and boats in our waters around the Solent.

Anyone wishing to support the Text Santa campaign can do so here.