Selfless Felicity chosen to switch on Loughborough’s Christmas lights

Published: Mon 18th November, 2024

An inspirational youngster has been chosen to ‘Light up Loughborough’ and switch on the town’s Christmas lights in front of thousands of people.

Felicity Chan, from Loughborough, has been named the winner of the Light up Loughborough competition run by Charnwood Borough Council which organises the festive event on Friday, November 29.

The nine-year-old stood out to judges for the selfless way that she has helped her mum Karolin, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, alongside her older siblings Kelly, 21, and Cody, 23.

Felicity has also had to contend with her father Leon suffering a mini stroke in August this year. Both parents are now in recovery.

Despite these challenges at home, Felicity took it upon herself to raise funds for twin boys of a family friend who suffer from cerebral palsy and needed equipment and treatments that were not available to them on the NHS.

Felicity raised over £1,000 for the boys by cutting her hair, which she later donated to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

The great news was broken to Felicity by the Mayor Charnwood, Cllr Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE and Cllr Jennifer Tillotson at a surprise assembly at her school, Thorpe Acre Junior School, on Thursday, 14 November.

Felicity said: “It was such a surprise to find out that I was turning on the Christmas lights. Mum didn’t tell me that she had entered the competition, so I was shocked when it was announced at my school in front of my friends.

“Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you so much to all my family and friends who have donated to my charity appeal.

“I can’t wait until Friday. I’m excited to turn on the lights in front of so many people.”

Mum Karolin entered Felicity for being ‘a brilliant daughter and sister’.

Karolin said: “It was very difficult being so ill during lockdown, but Felicity has been so helpful in looking after me with her dad and older siblings, despite only being five years old at the time.

“When I lost my hair during chemotherapy, she kept telling me that I still look pretty, like a princess. Whatever the situation, Felicity always wants to carry on and make us proud, which of course she does.

“With everything that has happened in the past few years, it will mean the world to Felicity and our family to see her turn on the Christmas lights in Loughborough.”

Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s lead member for economic development, regeneration and town centres was part of the judging panel and who attended the surprise assembly, said: “We received so many incredible entries into the Light Up Loughborough competition this year.

“It was hard to pick a winner, but Felicity’s story stood out to the judges for the way she always seems to remain strong and positive, regardless of what adversity comes her way. At such a young age, that is so impressive.

“I am sure that she will have a fantastic time switching on the town’s Christmas lights. I would like to thank everyone that entered this year’s competition, and I look forward to seeing everyone and Felicity at the Christmas lights switch-on.”

The Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE, who attended the assembly with the Mayoress Julie Ellerbeck, said: “It was an honour to be on the judging panel and to read so many amazing stories. There are a lot of brave, brilliant and selfless children in Charnwood.

“Reading Felicity’s story really moved me, and to be able to give her the opportunity to do something fun and exciting in front of so many people has given me a huge sense of pride.”

The Light Up Loughborough winner has also received tickets to this year’s pantomime, Snow White, at Loughborough Town Hall and a £50 Love Loughborough voucher.

The Christmas lights will be switched on in Loughborough on Friday, November 29, on the first day of a weekend filled with festive fun in the town.

Starting at 4pm, the Market Place will host a wide range of stalls, food and drink stands and fairground rides, and a host of talented performers will be appearing on the main stage to entertain the crowd. There will also be a Santa’s grotto to visit.

This year’s stage will be operated by local radio station Fosse 107 with thanks to headline sponsor Loughborough Kia.

The lights will then be switched on at approximately 6.30pm by Felicity.

On Saturday, 30 November, there will be a host of family friendly activities in Market Place from 11am until 1pm, including market stalls, Christmas characters meeting and greeting visitors and a special performance from carol singers around the Christmas tree.

Love Loughborough will also be offering a gift-wrapping service in the town centre.

Sunday, 1 December begins with the Loughborough Santa Run, organised by Rainbows Hospice, which starts at 9am in the Market Place.

From 2pm until 6pm, the big screen will be showing two Christmas films, which will be chosen based on the results of a poll conducted on the Council’s Facebook page. There will be stalls serving food and hot drinks for anyone feeling the cold.

Details about this year’s lights switch-on event and other festive events can be found at www.charnwood.gov.uk/christmas.

You can keep up to date about the Council’s events by signing up for our email alerts at www.charnwood.gov.uk/alerts or by following the Council’s social media channels @CharnwoodBC and searching for the hashtag #LboroLights24.