IPOH, Nov 28 — Educator Pee Zhi Jun is not a Christian by faith.

Every Christmas for the past seven years however, the 31-year-old transforms into Santa Claus to hand out gifts to children at welfare homes and sometimes to adults too if they ask.

The Penang-based Ipoh native said he started giving out gifts after graduating from Universiti Utara Malaysia.

"I was in the midst of looking for a job then and was bored when it suddenly hit me why don't I give out gifts during Christmas."

Speaking to Malay Mail, Pee revealed he never received any gifts while growing up.

"My family does not have the practice of giving gifts during birthdays but during Christmas, my friends gave me gifts and it made me happy."

"So I thought why don't I give out gifts to spread more joy during the festive season."

The first year when he started his 'adventure', Pee spent about RM200 of his own money to get about 50 gifts.

But from second year onwards, his friends decided to chip in and the spreading of joy had since grown to about 1,500 gifts last year.

"I normally visit the less popular homes and would contact them ahead of my visits to confirm if they are available to let me visit them."

Once a visit has been confirmed, Pee would don the red Santa Claus costume complete with a pillow for the tummy and off he goes with the ready packed gifts

Instead of a reindeer drawn sleigh, Pee depends on his motorcycle to deliver the gifts.

"Sometimes I would arrive at a children's home with the pillow dripping wet after getting caught in the rain."

Since starting giving out gifts, Pee had travelled along the west coast once to give out gifts.

"It was during the Movement Control Order and I was travelling to our education centres to help in preparation works."

"As children were cooped up at home then, I decided to visit them and cheer them up with gifts," he said, adding that he visited some 50 homes then and it took him about one week to complete the mission.

Pee said his gifts are nothing fancy, just things that are appropriate for children such as snacks, stationeries or simple games.

"It is just to put a smile on the children's faces."

This year, Pee said he would be going on his delivery rounds with a car as his motorcycle broke down.

"I will only be visiting homes in Penang due to work commitments," he said, adding that he would most probably visit them a week before Christmas as normally on the actual day everybody would be very busy with their own activities.

Asked about his parents' reactions, Pee said they did frown upon his activity and questioned his wisdom.

"But after complaining several times, they gave up and just let me be."

On what motivates him to continue doing what he is doing, Pee said the world today needs love regardless of race.