PEOPLE may remember the Post reporting last Christmas that Cholwill’s Christmas reindeer were the brightest ones!

Something that started off as a photograph taken on holiday by a good friend, Angela, five years ago sees Christmas 2017 proving more popular than ever! Little did the creator of the reindeer factory, Colin, realise that this was to be the start of something very special and something that would now keep him and the whole family very busy in the months leading up to each Christmas since.

Although the reindeer were born five years ago, it was in 2001 that tragically and very suddenly, whilst away on their first holiday abroad, that Colin and Sheila lost a son and Paul a very special brother, Mark — a son who had been dependant on someone for all his needs for the whole of his life, but always had a smile for everyone.

From their loss of Mark, the special connection with Little Harbour was born, and the family truly believes that Mark is responsible for this wonderful legacy.

Following her retirement as senior financial administrator of Bude Infants School, Sheila felt she wanted to spend some time volunteering for a charity. It was about this time that Little Harbour, the only children’s hospice in Cornwall, was being built and immediately she felt this was where she would like to travel to on a regular basis.

In the following months, Sheila passed all the necessary requirements to be accepted as a volunteer and so she began regularly attending Little Harbour.

Although she is not qualified to help care for those that visit the hospice she is based on Careside at Little Harbour, where she can meet and chat to the children and their families and feels very privileged that she can work alongside the staff who do the wonderful caring.

Little Harbour soon became a very special place for Sheila and very soon this too became a very special charity for the whole Cholwill family. Colin’s wooden reindeer, which first were made and sold at a local table top, gradually seem to become people’s favourites at Christmas.

The year of 2017 has seen the birth of Cholwill’s Christmas snowmen and these too are proving popular.

A few weeks ago, the Cholwills were invited to take the reindeer and snowmen to a craft fayre at the Falcon Hotel, Bude. Seventy reindeer were taken and 30 snowmen.

Customers queued before opening time on the day of the fayre and it seemed that as the doors opened, everyone made a beeline for the stage, where these Christmas creatures had been arranged.

A surprise call to Colin and Sheila from their son Paul 46 minutes later said that the stage was empty and some prospective customers had gone home disappointed, unable to purchase a reindeer or snowman.

Following the fayre, Paul and Stacey set up an order book on social media and again less than 24 hours later, it had to close because they thought that the family would not be able to cope with the demand of over 320 reindeer wanted both big and small, and 75 snowmen! But they are pleased to report that all orders will be met before Christmas.

The Cholwill family has expressed their grateful appreciation for the support they have been shown through the sales of the reindeer and snowmen.

Sheila said: “Little did we know that the loss of our precious son, Mark — or Sparky, as Paul called him — would result in this.”

Over the last two years, friends and acquaintances of the family have also given their time and effort into making scarves and bow ties for their fundraiser. Stacey’s twin sister, Bonnie, and Ollie have also willingly given many hours of their time to help at the family Christmas factory.

Sheila continued: “Dad makes the heads; this year our eldest grandson, Harvey, helps to grind the bodies. Ollie has been responsible for helping make the snowmen, with grandma providing all the cakes, biscuits and drinks, plus fitting the antlers to every reindeer and knitting. Even little Harry, aged three, likes to paint the noses using his oversized rubber gloves! A truly family affair! Once again, Christmas 2017 sees the reindeer travelling the length of Great Britain in the form of family gifts.”

Colin, Sheila, Paul, Stacey and grandchildren Harvey, Ella and Harry, have said a huge thank you to everyone for their support once again.

Since the ‘Brightest Red Nose Reindeer’ were born five years ago, Cholwill’s reindeer factory has raised just over £21,000 for Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in St Austell.

The family always request that all of the money raised is spent on equipment or items for the hospice and used for the benefit of the children and the families who spend time at this very special place in Cornwall.

The Cholwills send good wishes for Christmas to all their supporters and say that if people have a chance to visit Little Harbour, please do, as they too will find out why it holds such a special place in their hearts and is such a wonderful charity.