Chester-le-Street Toddler Will Light Up Newcastle
A Chester-le-Street dad says switching on Newcastle's Christmas Lights will be one of the last special memories of his two year old son.
Harley Charlton was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour earlier this year.
Doctors broke the devastating news that he only had a few months left to live to parents Daniel and Claire.
Since then they’ve tried to make every moment that Harley has left with the family, including his sister Olivia and brother Layton, special.
Tonight Harley will be the star of the Newcastle Christmas Light Switch On.
Naadj Kate Lartey nominated the family to be the ones to flick the switch after being inspired by their story to make special memories.
Daniel said:
“There will always be photos there; it’s always going to be something we remember. The family will be there. He loves Christmas, last year he was hiding under the Christmas tree; he’ll probably do the same this year. Switching the lights on is a big big thing for us.”
“I think he’ll be quite surprised when there are no lights and then there are lots of lights. We should get a good reaction out of him, which will be nice. He’ll probably jump up and down, it’ll be exciting and we’ll see few of smiles. It’ll be really really good.”
“We’ve got to make the most of every day especially Christmas. Unfortunately it will be his last Christmas… for us we need to make as many memories as we can so we take photos all the time, have videos of him all the time, just trying to capture as many memories as we can.”
The event which is free to enter will take place on Grey Street and the surrounding areas of Monument between 5.30pm-6.30pm and will include a bumper hour of festive entertainment.
Metro Radio's breakfast show presenter’s Steve and Karen will join Santa on stage to host the event and welcome upcoming local artists Abi Garrido and North Road to the stage to entertain the crowds with festive Christmas songs. Pantomine stars from the Tyne Theatre's Aladdin will also perform.