CHRISTMAS is typically celebrated in December, but for one boy from Whitchurch the day has come a few months late.

Tom Maddison, aged three, from Thompson Drive in Whitchurch was forced to spend Christmas and Boxing Day last year in hospital, so was unable to fully experience the magic of the day.

The ongoing COVID-19 lockdown has stopped Tom and his family from doing typical activities, so parents Susie Thurogood and Chris Maddison set up a ‘wish jar’ full of things to do when the lockdown is lifted.

One of the wishes in the jar was for Christmas, and after hearing about Tom’s situation, residents from Thompson Dive and Belton Road have got involved, putting up lights and giving the roads a festive theme.

And last weekend, Tom and his family captured the spirit of a true Christmas day, opening presents and having a Christmas dinner.

Mum Susie said Tom loved the day after being anxious about the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are doing a wish jar so we write down things he wants to do and put them in the jar,” said Susie. “After lockdown we’ll pick one every few days and make sure we do it and a few days ago he asked for Christmas.

“People all down Thompson Drive and Belton Road are putting their lights up for him when we take our first walk in four weeks.

“He’s so excited. Yesterday we decorated, today we had Christmas morning with pre-loved gifts wrapped in scraps of leftover paper from previous years and I’m cooking Christmas dinner with whatever I can find in the house.

“Tom thinks this is the best day ever, which is lovely as he’s been quite frightened and worried this week.

“Honestly it was wonderful, so many houses put up decorations and waved from their windows.

“An officer from Whitchurch Police Station even parked up outside and flashed the blue lights for him.

“Tom said it was the best day ever, what an amazing community we have here.”