A FAMILY is planning to create a winter wonderland in Warwick to fund-raise for their son.
Ethan Maclellan from the Woodloes has Lesch Nyhan Syndrome – a genetic condition which causes decreased muscle tone among other debilitating symptoms.
Despite being ill for some time, the six-year-old has only recently been diagnosed after doctors struggled to identify his condition.
The youngster – who attends Evergreen School – cannot stand unaided, sit up, walk or talk and is fed through a tube into his stomach.
Despite this, Ethan is always smiling and is enjoying life in his new walker and playing with brother Tristan. His mum describes Ethan as ‘a dream’ and would not change the smiley youngster ‘for the world’.
The family, along with Woodloes Community Events, host fund-raisers to help afford Ethan’s medication and specially adapted equipment, as well as for Acorns Children’s Hospice which provides respite breaks for Ethan and his family.
But since covid struck they have been unable to put on their usual events including the infamous Halloween makeover they give to their Hathaway Drive home. Instead the team organised a scavenger hunt for the estate’s youngsters.
And Christmas will not be forgotten this year as the team is planning a Woodloes Winter Wonderland later this month to complete the line-up of seasonal celebrations. The family and community team are urging their neighbours to decorate their houses, gardens and windows with a winter theme. A map will be created to highlight where displays can be found around the estate, with visitors encouraged to donate to both Acorns and Team Ethan.
The team aims to raise around £1,200 to enable Ethan – who hopes to join Warwick Beavers next year – to continue enjoying life.
It is also hoped the event will spread some joy among those isolated or who find the festive season difficult.
Event team member Trevor Langley said: “We are encouraging every household to take part, including the elderly who can sew or knit, and the youngsters who can paint or build models. We want to include those who do not celebrate Christmas, or who find Christmas difficult. We are looking out for those who are isolated or lonely. And at the same time, supporting the local children’s hospice and Team Ethan. Ethan is a profoundly disabled lad on our estate, whose family do so much to raise funds and awareness within our community.
“Over this year, the community spirit on our estate has grown into something very special, which would not have happened otherwise.”
The event costs £2 to enter. Search Woodloes Community Events to join or visit justgiving.com/fundraising/woodloes to donate.
