The Christmas lights were switched on in Dublin’s Grafton Street in the city centre this evening.
The street was decorated by the city centre business group Dublin Town, who received assistance from two very special guests from Little Blue Heroes, a garda charity supporting families of children with serious illness.
Four-year-old Áine Nolan from Dublin and eight-year-old Alyssa Reeves from Co Kildare pushed the magic button that switches on the lights from the balcony of Bewley’s Café.
Both girls got to see Santa Claus beforehand, and were very excited at the prospect of turning on the lights.
“She’s been telling people all week that she gets to push the big red button and turn on Christmas on Grafton street,” said Áine’s mother Sarah, “so it’s not just the lights she’s turning on, it’s Christmas in general.”
Amanda Reeves said pushing that all important button meant a lot to her daughter Alyssa and the entire family.
“It’s so magical because of Alyssa’s disability, she often misses out on things that a lot of her peers can do,” she said, “so having these opportunities mean a lot to her and us.”
