Ross-on-Wye Christmas light switch on

Ross-on-Wye Christmas light switch on. Alfie McDonald took the lead and flipped the switch.

Transcript

00:00 2, 1,

00:02 [cheering]

00:04 Nearing the end of a very tough year, in the heart of his hometown, a heartwarming moment.

00:11 Alfie MacDonald lighting up Ross-on-Wye.

00:15 I'd just like to say to the people of Ross-on-Wye, just thank you so much for your support

00:19 and for nominating Alfie to do this. Obviously being two years old he's not going to remember,

00:24 but this is definitely something we're going to look back on in the years to come.

00:27 Back in February, Alfie began having seizures, one of which damaged his brain,

00:33 affecting his muscles and limbs on his right hand side.

00:37 Doctors eventually diagnosed an extremely rare gene mutation.

00:43 So at the start it was horrible, he couldn't even recognise,

00:47 he couldn't recognise the same little boy that we'd brought up for the past year.

00:51 And yeah, it was just terrifying, but every day after that,

00:54 when he just came back to us a little bit more and a little bit more, it started to get easy.

00:58 But what easier?

01:00 [music]

01:03 His mum put together a video charting Alfie's journey from intensive care to rehab.

01:09 It's been liked and shared thousands of times.

01:13 And in Ross-on-Wye, bustling today with Christmas shoppers, he's become a local celebrity.

01:19 Alfie's story has captured the hearts and minds of the people of Ross-on-Wye.

01:25 And when the town council asked for nominations for someone to switch on the Christmas lights,

01:30 there was only ever going to be one winner.

01:33 I think it's his bravery, and not just his, his family's as well.

01:36 You know, they've had a really, really tough year, and it's what the community is all about,

01:42 it's what the Christmas fair is all about, supporting the community

01:45 and pulling together in adversity and giving someone a bit of festive joy.

01:50 Research into Alfie's rare condition is limited, but doctors are optimistic for his future.

01:57 As well as switching on the lights, with his courage and his smile, he's illuminating lives.

02:03 Giles Lachan, BBC Midlands Today, Ross-on-Wye.

02:06 Yeah, it worked.