A five-foot furry lion is the new ‘pride’ and joy of a young schoolboy who got more than he bargained for following a Christmas shopping trip in Warwick.
Four-year-old Aaron Carlyle, from Alcester, has taken delivery of the supersized Olly The Brave after successfully completing a charity lion hunt with his friend Sophia Esler, aged eight.
Throughout December keen-eyed shoppers were invited to follow the clues to spot Molly Olly’s Wishes charity lion mascot Olly the Brave in 14 windows, each one sporting festive outfits and displaying a letter.
Entries, which spelled out seasonal words, were then posted through the letterbox at Molly Olly’s Wishes offices in Swan Street, Warwick for the chance to win the super-sized Olly.
Molly Olly’s Wishes was established by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw in 2011 following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.
The cuddly lions have their own Hickman line and a detachable mane, which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 40 hospitals, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.
Aaron’s mum Lisa said: “He was over the moon when he found out he’d won but don’t think we realised just how big he was until he arrived at the front door!
“Molly Olly’s is such an amazing charity. For the family to turn something so negative into such a huge positive for so many is amazing. I really take my hat off to them.”
Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or how to donate can be found at: www.mollyolly.co.uk
