Many children lie in wait by the chimney at Christmas just to catch a glimpse of Santa. Not so for one Norfolk boy – he just got to meet him. Harry Jeckell, aged 14 from Horsford in Norfolk, has just returned from a special trip to Lapland, courtesy of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK, the charity that grants magical wishes for children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Harry, who is deaf and fighting an acute gut disorder called Short Bowel Syndrome, was flown out with his parents Katherine and Barry Carter, and his brother Alex, to Rovaniemi Airport in Finland on Thursday 17 December. On arrival in Lapland, Harry and his family were kitted out in thermal clothing and whisked to a log cabin where they sat down to a welcome feast in anticipation of the forthcoming activities.
The next day, Harry got to meet Rudolph and his reindeer friends on their farm, where he was issued with a Reindeer Driving Licence enabling him to steer their sleigh.
They were also treated to horse-riding and speedy sled-ride by Siberian huskies.
The trip’s highlight came on Saturday when Harry got to hunt for Santa’s house through a winter forest wonderland. Harry was overjoyed to meet the real Father Christmas and inquire about his letter in person. On meeting Santa, Harry says:
“I saw Santa and I asked him ‘did you get my letter?’ and he said ‘yes’, so I think I will get my Lego now for Christmas.”
Harry’s mum, Katherine Carter, says: “The place was incredible and it was packed with so much to do. We went horse riding, husky sledging, met Father Christmas and all his elves and there was always plenty of snow ball fighting. Everything was so fantastically put together and Harry was so engrossed in all the wonderful things going on around him. For Harry it was the perfect wish, he enjoyed it all and we were so delighted to see him so happy, thank you Make-A-Wish!”
There are currently 20,000 children and young people like Harry in the UK fighting a life-threatening illness. In 2010 around 1,000 children will turn to Make-A-Wish to experience the magic of a Make-A-Wish wish. To grant all these Make-A-Wish needs to raise at least £5 million next year. If you know of anyone you feel is deserving of a wish, refer a child today by calling Make-A-Wish on 01276 40 50 60 or visiting www.make-a-wish.org.uk.