After 30 years, Mark Selley is taking a break from the Special Children?s Christmas Party ? and he?s searching for someone to take his place.

The idea for the Special Children?s Christmas Party first hit him in 1974, after Mr. Selley and his brother, Craig, noticed a group of special children at the Santa Claus parade that year. Unable to get to the candy that Santa was throwing, the image of those children stuck in Mr. Selley?s mind. ?I decided the next Christmas, we would do a special party for them,? he said. A Christmas tradition was born.

However after 30 years of disco lights, Christmas carols, and ensuring Santa Claus arrives promptly on his fire truck, Mr. Selley has announced that yesterday?s event at O-Zone night-club will be the last one he will organise. It?s been 30 emotional years, he added ? with his own stroke in 1991 adding a special touch of irony to the proceedings. ?All the years of doing this party, and then I end up handicapped myself.?

Though in the hospital in Boston at the time, Mr. Selley was thrilled to find his friends at home did not forget him. ?The St. Brendan?s crowd, everyone sent cards, there was glitter all over the bed ... They said, ?Please Santa Claus, get better?.?

The challenge of dealing with his stroke was not the deciding factor in his choice, however. Getting support for the event has become more difficult with competition from other events, he said. Also, supporters who the organisers have relied on for years have moved on. ?If just one person is no longer there, that leaves a void.?

Mr. Selley has also thrown all his time and energy behind the neurological/stroke rehabilitation unit set to open in February, as well as chairing the Bermuda Bravery Awards and running his own business.

?I?ve just got all these things to do and it just takes time ... It?s just difficult every year because life changes.?

It was not an easy decision, however. ?I can?t believe I?m bowing out,? he told . ?This was a party; now it?s a major event.

?It?s been an emotional roller-coaster right through ... I?m no good after that party. That makes me ready for Christmas.?

Mr. Selley?s sister Susan Kempe, who has been his second-in-command for the past 30 years when organising the party, agreed, saying that for her, Christmas began at the party.

Part of the magic, she said, is having watched certain guests grow up throughout the years.

Now the pair are searching for someone younger to do their part.

?I?ll help them out,? Mr. Selley said. ?We need someone younger, more creative. People have always been very supportive, there?s no negativity at all.?

There is a lot of organisation that goes into the event, however, with Mr. Selley and his sister beginning preparations months before.

Transportation has to be arranged as well as furniture, which is all donated, and food and decorations.

Yesterday O-Zone was transformed into a forest of red and green balloons. Guests ate and drank at picnic tables set up on the dance floor (though space was left for dancing to Christmas carols, of course) and the atmosphere of pent-up excitement (at the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus) as well as nostalgia was tangible.

Guests also lamented the end of the tradition, with caregivers from St. Brendan?s and Hope Homes as well as parents praising Mr. Selley and his sister for their 30 years of hard work.

When the word spread that Santa was nearing O-Zone on his fire truck, guests crowded the street outside in excitement. Passersby also stopped to watch the fun.

As the fire truck pulled up and Mr. Selley?s sons piled out along with Santa Claus, the guests surged forward to greet him. It was hard to miss the special twinkle in Santa?s eyes.

?If it wasn?t fun, I wouldn?t have done it for 30 years,? Mr. Selley said. ?Nine times out of ten I burst into tears. It?s just two hours in their lives, but it?s important.?

He?s keeping the Santa suit, he added. ?Oh, yeah! You know when you might need that.?