We welcomed a very special guest to Whilton Locks Winter Wonderland. It was ho ho ho-nly Santa! With his trademark red suit, long white beard and lovely laugh, Santa was wearing a pair of dark sunglasses so he wouldn’t get recognised. He said he was incognito but we all knew it was Santa!
Santa popped in to see how the progress was progressing and took an extra special long look at the Grotto, to ensure it would be the best yet. Santa was very pleased so far.
We also showed him the real ice, ice rink. (He said it looked superb!)
We also showed him where the real Christmas Trees were going to go. (Santa said he passed them on his way from The North Pole and they were looking fabulous! They are due in THIS WEEK!)
We also showed him our festive menu. (He said it sounded marvellous!)
We also showed him our displays and lights and gifts and snow much more. (He said it really was a Winter Wonderland!)
We also showed him A Dash of Magic – brand new for 2023 – a Virtual Reality sleigh ride. (He said it was just like the real thing!)
“So,’’ we proclaimed “we have everything at Whilton Locks this year!”
“Almost everything,” said Santa. “There is just one little thing missing – it is quite small but it can make a big difference.” Santa gathered all the Elves together and told them about a very special helper he had recently met.
In the early hours of New Years Day 2022, Jamie Rees, from Rugby, suffered a cardiac arrest. There was a defibrillator nearby, but it was locked inside a school, so it could not be accessed. Sadly Jamie passed away on January 5th, he was only 18 years old. Jamie, a registered organ donor, saved 5 lives, this included an 8 month old baby girl.
Santa explained how a defibrillator is so special but knew it was such a long word. So Santa, to help the Elves understand, called it a ‘magic box’.
Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, any time and at any age. With a magic box available within the crucial first 8 minutes, it can increase the chance of a persons survival by up to 70%. Jamie’s family and friends launched the Our Jay Foundation and installed their very first magic box in 2022 and now have over 100 others! Santa smiled “and they have saved lives already however” said Santa, shaking his head “not everyone can be saved.” He wiped a tear from his eye and was glad he was wearing the sunglasses so the Elves couldn’t see. “The magic is help – and hope.”
“Santa – where can we get a magic box so close to Christmas?” Asked Procurement Elf.
Santa smiled, turned and pointed to the wall – there was a magic box! It had been installed, registered and was ready for use.
“Hurray Santa!” All the Elves cheered “It’s the magic of Christmas!”
“No,” chuckled Santa, “It’s the magic of Jamie and The Our Jay Foundation, I’m just here to tell a story.”
“Now…” Santa laughed “Now, you have EVERYTHING at Whilton Locks Wonderland this year!”
* * *
Jamie loved Christmas and this email has been specially written and comes with the kind approval of The Our Jay Foundation. We hope we will never have to use our ‘magic box’ but know it is there if we need to.
Oh wow Nick, apart from all the tears, I absolutely love it! You’re a genius and such kindness is just lovely. Jamie would also love this, so thank you. We are more than happy for that to be posted.
Many thanks as always
Naomi Rees Issitt
(Jamie’s mum)
On behalf of OurJay Foundation (charity registration number 1200846).
The world would be a better place if it was full of Jamies.
