The Mother was in Freshco shopping with her young son in December 1999 when the child happened upon butcher Fred Elliott dressed as Santa, and Ashley Peacock dressed as an elf during their campaign to promote their newest stock. The child approached Fred and, confusing him with the Santa from the supermarket's grotto, asked for a Manchester City shirt for Christmas. Fred snapped at the child and informed his mother that he was merely a marketing device - selling reindeer meat.