Derby Telegraph

Mum and son’s 10 mile trek to bring back Christmas lights magic for village

THE HELPFUL ELVES HAVE RAISED £2,000

- By JOSEPH ASH joseph.ash@reachplc.com

A MUM and son elf took to the streets to look for the spirit of Christmas.

Eve and Billy Dawes were dressed like Santa’s little helpers and set out on a 10-mile walk to raise money to reinstate their village’s Christmas lights.

Pleasley has not had festive lights on the village square for around ten years due to vandalism, and needed £10,000 to bring them back.

Joined along the way by Father Christmas and Mrs Claus, the community came out to cheer the sixyear-old and his mum on their journey.

Before the trek, Eve Dawes said: “The fundraiser will bring magic back to the heart of the Pleasley community.

“An event that is aiming to light up the children’s eyes with magic of Christmas once again.

“Ten miles is such a long way for a six-year-old’s legs, so we are asking if you would kindly dig deep and sponsor him for his efforts and hopefully give him a big cheer on his travels”.

They completed their challenge against the backdrop of awful wet weather in four hours and 16 minutes and even notched up an extra mile, taking their journey to 11.17 miles. Writing on Facebook afterwards, ‘Mummy Elf’ said: “What an amazing welcome at the finish line. There aren’t enough words to express our gratitude.

“Yes mummy cried a little at the end, tears of pride and joy for what her little six-year-old elf has achieved.”

Originally intending to raise £150, the pair have collected more than £2,000 for the Pleasley Christmas lights.

Gemma Lennane, from the Pleasley Lights Committee, said: “Billy and Eve were a total godsend. Their efforts meant that we reached our target, as well as helping to raise our Christmas spirits again after some hateful comments about the group.

“We couldn’t be prouder of them and I for one feel blessed to be able to call them friends”.

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 ?? ?? Eve and Billy Dawes were dressed as Santa’s little helpers to raise money for Pleasley’s Christmas lights
Eve and Billy Dawes were dressed as Santa’s little helpers to raise money for Pleasley’s Christmas lights

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