Rapper Ludacris became Santa Claus for the day when he stepped in to save a children's charity event after burglars raided the offices.

The star's charity, The Ludacris Foundation, helped out when he discovered bosses at The American Civil Rights Educational Society were planning to axe their annual Christmas lunch after their New York headquarters was torched by intruders.

The star generously agreed to foot the bill - and even donated presents to the nonprofit organisation, according to the New York Daily News.