FORGET Rudolph, the Cholwill family’s reindeer have the brightest noses in town, and this year has seen them make in excess of 300 of the festive creatures in aid of Little Harbour.

Each year the Cholwills, from Bridgerule, create little hand-made wooden reindeer and sell them in order to raise money for Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in St Austell.

The whole family gets involved each year, including Sheila and Colin Cholwill and their son Paul.

Paul Cholwill said: “It took off amazingly this year, we have had so many orders that we have had to shut down our site. It has been fantastic that people still want to support us.

“We made about 250 last year and it is looking like we are going to be making well over 300 this year. This has definitely kept us busy.”

There is very little cost involved in making the reindeer, meaning more money goes to helping the Little Harbour purchase a piece of equipment or carry out necessary work.

The Cholwill’s and Little Harbour discuss what the money will be used for before the making process begins so they have an aim for their fundraising.

Paul added: “The only thing we have to buy is the noses and eyes, which amount to a few pence per reindeer. We fundraise for Little Harbour specifically and this is the fourth year we have been doing it. It is great to support them, especially as mum volunteers down there once a week. It is great to see so many people are still interested in our fundraising event even now.”

This year has been one of the best for orders in the four years the Cholwills have been running their reindeer making fundraiser. Paul set up a Facebook page to take orders and within 24 hours had to close it because the response was so large.

Sheila Cholwill, who volunteers for Little Harbour once a week, said: “We had a Facebook page but we had to close it within the first 24 hours to ensure we could fulfill the orders we currently have.”

Colin and Sheila’s first son was born severely disabled and they have always been keen supporters of the children’s charity.

Speaking on why they support the Little Harbour, Sheila said: “The Little Harbour is the family’s favourite charity and we support it every year. We had a son die in 2001 and although he didn’t make use of Little Harbour, they do provide care for many like him and they are such a good cause to get behind.

“We have raised over £7,000 in the previous year, and this year we should make a further £6,000. So the total for the four years will be £12,000 to £13,000. The money we raise will be put towards redecorating the Little Harbour’s new family lounge area and we will probably try and purchase some new furniture for that room as well.

“I can’t believe that people still want to support our reindeer fundraiser but we are thankful to all those who have made orders.”