One December day more than 30 years ago, the disappointment of a group of disabled youngsters who missed out on a scramble for candy thrown out by Santa Claus at the Flag Pole provided the inspiration for an annual Christmas party for special needs youngsters.

Yesterday the party was held for the 32nd year with smiles, laughter and love spread amongst nearly 200 youngsters and a few not so young anymore at the afternoon event held in the Ozone nightclub on Front Street. After two hours of fun they left clutching brightly coloured balloons and a bag of candy each.

Watching them was Mark Selley who, dressed as Santa all those years ago, had turned around and seen the youngsters in wheelchairs at the back of the Flag Pole who missed out on the showers of candy that evening.

He vowed then to make a difference in their lives by arranging a Christmas Party especially for them and so it has been every Christmas since the early 1970s.

As he has done for all but one of the past 32 years, Mr. Selley reprised his Santa Claus role, handing out bags of candies at this year?s party as he had that rainy night in Hamilton when he and his friends brought some Christmas magic to youngsters after hearing the traditional Chamber of Trade Front Street parade had been rained off.

Shocked that weather was allowed to stop the festivities, Mr. Selley borrowed a Santa suit and was towed around the streets of Pembroke in his racing boat spreading the message that, rain or no rain, Father Christmas would appear at the Flag Pole as planned and every kid was welcome to come and see him.

?Hundreds of kids came and got candy that was handed out. But there were four or five children in wheelchairs at the back of the Flag Pole who did not get any candy. So when I got home I said ?let?s work to have a party for the kids with special needs?,? he explained.

That pledge has been kept every year since. Even when he suffered a debilitating stroke just before Christmas 15 years ago, the party went on and he was given a boost in his hospital bed by touching messages from the youngsters who wanted to see him back.

It is billed as Mark Selley and Friends? Christmas children?s party to reflect the ever-changing cast of friends and helpers who show up each year to assist.

Mr. Selley paid tribute to his ever-changing band of volunteers and friends, including bagpipe player Joel Cassidy who has attended nearly every party of the past three decades, and added: ?I enjoy it and could not do it without the people who help me.?

Having started out in the former 40 Thieves Club, it moved to the Ozone nightclub (then called the Oasis nightclub) and has stayed ever since. The club donates the venue, soft drinks and the music. The Lobster Pot prepares the donated food ? Mr. Selley was a long-time manager at the restaurant ? and candies come courtesy of Butterfield and Vallis. The main overall sponsor is the Bank of Bermuda Foundation. Members of Pembroke Rotary have also become involved and may one day take over the reins from Mr. Selley.

So what does the party give to the children with special needs?

Mr. Selley replied: ?It?s a great blend of regular kids and others, and friends of the special needs kids. Some of them are fearful about coming and it is a challenge for them. But the fear factor lasts about two seconds and then they get involved. ?It is the only time of the year these children get to be in one place at the same time and they look forward to seeing each other.?

That is something Teena Cassidy, who has been coming to the parties for more than 20 years agrees about. And seven-year-old Keitaro also made an effort to get to the party again this year. One of the adults who has been to the party for many years said: ?I have a grand-daughter who came here from when she was small. There should be more than one Christmas party for these children.

?They are not able to get to different people?s parties like regulars, but they really know how to enjoy themselves and dance.?