Bells ring out for good mental elf
ELVES delivered bells to greet a visit from Santa and his sleigh, raising funds and awareness for a mental health charity in Water.
WaterWell Foundation CIC spread Christmas cheer through a Special Elf Delivery of bells on December 12, with volunteers and residents helping to raise £400.
WaterWell’s motto is ‘share a smile’ and the elves followed this idea by playing knock a door run, blasting out a plume of magic green ‘elf’ smoke, challenging residents at 30 ‘chosen’ houses to guess the elf names to win a bell, and then playing Christmas donk music.
The charity’s youngest volunteer Jacob Lord, 10, enjoyed himself so much he didn’t even want to go home at the end of the day.
Jacob, who attends BYTES theatre group in Bacup and Holy Trinity School, said: “I enjoyed seeing the children’s faces; it made me feel very happy, and one of the best bits was when we went to the wrong door.”
Fifteen-year-old Niamh Cockroft also dressed as Elfis, with a guitar, and definitely shook a few people up. Jenna Kempson wrote a bell poem for each child and Ashleigh Warwick Sharphouse donated more than 60 reindeer food bags.
The bells were used for a sleigh event in the village on December 19 and were due to come in handy in a further event on Christmas Eve.
Residents of Burnley Road East were jingling their bells as Santa drove past in his sleigh, courtesy of Rossendale Rotary Club. Resident Kenton Ritson also got caught up with the festive joy and surprised onlookers with his beautifully illuminated tractor. Water Band and Lareena Mitchell played some festive songs from a safe distance to add to the atmosphere.
WaterWell Foundation CIC’s main areas of focus are on mental health support including male suicide prevention, depression and PTSD therapy, and bereavement support.
Events director Lia Holmes said: “It was so heartwarming to see different parts of the community come together in the best way we could in Tier 3.”
WaterWell CEO Tracy Cuthbertson said all funds raised will go towards the development of Lumb Millennium Green, creating a more usable outdoor space for the community and for children at Water Primary School. Once established, the green will be utilised for future events.
Tracy said: “Lia has been outstanding at organising our events, the foundation would not have taken off the ground without her enthusiasm and commitment.”
Gary Pickles, whose alter ego is Santa, said: “The people were amazing – it was lovely and emotional.”