A MASSIVE surprise greeted an Alcester youngster on his doorstep following a charity lion hunt.
Aaron Carlyle received a five-foot furry lion, Olly the Brave, after taking part in the festive activity put together by Warwick charity Molly Olly Wishes.
Throughout December keen-eyed shoppers were invited to follow the clues to spot the charity’s lion mascot in 14 windows, each one displaying a letter.
Entries, which spelled out seasonal words, were posted through the letterbox at Molly Olly’s Wishes offices in Swan Street, for the chance to win the super-sized Olly.
And the four-year-old was delighted when the mascot appeared on his doorstep.
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.”
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.
Visit www.mollyolly.co.uk for more information.
