Festive surprise from star of John Lewis ad
KIDS at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children were treated to a day of festive fun as this year’s Christmas lights were switched on by John Lewis advert star and Glasgow schoolgirl Ruby Dailly.
The 10-year-old actress, from Neilston, performed the switch-on in the kids hospital with the help of former Glasgow hospital patients James Proudfoot, 12, Olive Marshall-Reilly, 6, and Clara Healy, 2.
They were assisted by Santa, who made his annual visit to the big day at the hospital.
Ruby stars in this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert with the animated character “Excitable Edgar”, which has been viewed nearly 10 million times on the company’s YouTube channel.
At the launch, Ruby said: “It’s been so much fun to switch the Christmas lights on at the Royal Hospital for Children along with James, Olive and Clara.
“I’m lucky enough to have never needed lots of hospital treatment, but we have family friends who have been looked after at the hospital when it was Yorkhill.
“I feel very lucky to be part of today’s special event and to help to officially start Christmas at the hospital.”
Six-year-old Olive’s mum, Janis Marshall-Reilly, from Thornliebank, said: “We are great supporters of the hospital and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity – so it was an absolute pleasure to be invited to take part in the Christmas lights switch-on. We have all been very excited about it – in fact, my parents travelled from Cowal to be here for it.”
Shona Cardle, chief executive of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Ruby to the hospital today. We cannot thank her and her family enough for taking the time to join us for our Christmas lights switch-on.
“We would also like to thank John Lewis and Waitrose, who very generously donated gifts to make today’s event even more special.
“So many of our young patients and families will spend the Christmas period in hospital, so creating a festive atmosphere is so important.
“Other children have the chance to put up their decorations at home and at school – so giving some of our young patients the chance to enjoy festivities like this within the hospital is very special.”