If you think last years car was special, just wait until you see what we’re doing for 2024!
All will be revealed at Bristol Volksfest!
How did it all begin?
Ok, let me explain how it all started; It is such a simple concept really and all started from one boy and one girl toy! Each year my wife and I would buy a couple of toys and then donate them to whoever was collecting that year. One year it was BRMB, the next it was West Brom building society and so on. Then, my wife’s workplace held a collection for a local family centre, so we joined in.
We decided to make it a regular thing and Santa’s A Gangster was born! Yes, I know it’s an unusual name, but it suits everyone involved with the project. Our collections come from far and wide and encompasses the VW community. A few years later, I was introduced to Operation Santa, where I instantly felt the warmth connection and passion from Eileen Fielding and her colleagues. We put our heads together and have worked hard to make it what it is today.
The help and support along the way has been amazing and each year, we launch the event at the VDubs in the Valley show, which is owned and operated by Garry Beerbuz Aulton and his wife Hayley. Not only do they host a Christmas party for us, but they also run a reverse Santa (where you bring the gifts to fill the raffle car) and auction off a host of gifts that are donated by their many generous traders.
As it has grown, Gary and Bill became ambassadors to Santa’s A Gangster and this year we have welcomed Lee Ashbourne to the team who is going to be dealing with the Techie side of things whilst ensuring his WVVW group are kept busy collecting toys and raising essential funds. None of this would be possible without you though, and we welcome you all, regardless of your reason; our network is nothing without you!
A penny or a pound, a bar of soap or a pallet of shower gel; we have had it all and believe me every single donation makes a difference. We will be keeping this site updated over the coming weeks and months, adding details of drop-off points for donations, special fund-raising events and so much more, so make sure you keep on popping back!
As always, this year’s raffle will be held at the Crosswells Pub on Whyley Walk in Oldbury, where Paul and Tina Archer always make us welcome. Thankfully, COVID restrictions are a thing of the past, so we can make a real night of it and celebrate in style, just like we used to!
Thanks in advance – Magic & Co.
How do we get involved?
There are a number of ways that you can get involved and help us to help the families in need this Christmas. For a start, there is the car giveaway that is now in its sixth year. Each year, we choose a different Volkswagen, and with the help of our many friends and followers, we strip it back to bear metal and turn it into something really special. In the past, we have given away a MKI Golf cabriolet, a New Beetle cabriolet, a Herbie inspired New Beetle, a Cal look Classic Beelte and of course, last year’s Joker themed Buggy. If you have been following us on Social Media, you will see we are going Baja for 2024, but all will be revealed at Bristol Volksfest next weekend!
The second way in which you can help is by donating toys and gifts. These need to be new and sealed and for kids and teenagers of all ages. They can be dropped off at Volksmagic in Oldbury or many of the other drop off points that will be announced in the coming weeks and months. If you can’t get to us, don’t worry, you can make a cash donation and we’ll go out and purchase a gift on your behalf.
Raffle tickets and toys can be purchased online by scanning the QR code below. When doing this, you will be asked if the £5 is for a raffle ticket or a toy. If you choose raffle ticket, you will be sent your ticket numbers before the draw takes place in December. Please, ensure you include your contact details as without them, we might not be able to get in touch if you’re the lucky winner!
Bristol Volksfest: The Big Reveal
Thank You
Wow, what can we say? We could not have picked a better place for the Baja Bug big reveal and the reception we received was truly amazing. Everyone that stopped by to take a look had nothing but good things to say about this years build. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Bristol Volksfest for their amazing support throughout the weekend and let’s not forget all of you fantastic show goers that dug deep for a great cause and helped us sell record-breaking raffle tickets to get this years appeal off to the best start possible!
This years car will be appearing at plenty of events over the coming months, where you’ll have the chance to buy a raffle ticket for just £5 or make a donation of a gift!
7th – 9th Jun: Bristol Volksfest
14th Jul: Dubs at the Bush
11th Aug: Voodoo’s Attic
6th – 8th Sep: Bufest
13th – 15th Sep: VDITV
7th – 8th Dec: Tattoo Festival
Mission Christmas: Cash for Kids
Gifts Galore
Each year, Santa’s a Gangster comes together with all of their many supporters to collect toys and gifts for people that need them. Our goal is to try and ensure that no-one wakes up without a gift under the tree on Christmas morning. To this end, we have joined forced with Free Radio’s Mission Christmas: Cash for Kids as they have the network in place to ensure the gifts we donate, go where they are most needed. In 2023, this amazing organisation (with the help of Santa), delivered 312,063 presents.
We could do none of this without the support of our many sponsors and it’s not too late to join them!
Parts and Services
We are always looking for new traders to come on board and help up build these amazing giveaway cars.
Cash Donations
Cash donations help us find all of those finishing touches that make our cars stand out from the crowd.
Ade Mason
Big Magic
Billy the Elf
Boz
Brad
Daz the Tea Boy
Dennis
Dep
Drew and Tracey
Ev’s
Lee Ashbourne
Lucky Lewis
Nigel for the car
Sgt Steve
Wee Magic
and let’s not forget the army of people that make the magic happen …..
The 2024 draw will be for our sixth Santa’s a Gangster build. These are the amazing cars we have given away in the past!
2019 Car Giveaway
2020 Car Giveaway
2021 Car Giveaway
2022 Car Giveaway
2023 Car Giveaway
2024 Car Giveaway
Never Forgotten
Jim Cousins R.I.P
Yes, he checked out in November 2019 and headed to a galaxy far, far away and we so miss him. Jim and Louise have been a massive part of Santa’s a Gangster from day one, not only sorting out advertising and printing, but also being a huge collection point for us. This years car give away is that little bit more special because it was actually Jims own buggy, kindly donated by his family, and when you see it, you won’t believe your eyes!
Louise has carried on helping, collecting, and promoting; She’s a true super star!
Magic & Co x