Special message ensures seven-year-old boy has magical Christmas

A seven-year-old’s festive season was made extra special after he received a surprise message from Father Christmas himself.

Along with his family, Freddie Etteridge, from Thurlton, took a trip to Norwich before Christmas to pay Santa a visit at the Jarrold department store.

The queue, however, was two hours-long and, with Freddie’s mum Ruth Etteridge heavily pregnant, the family decided it was best to head home.

Freddie was obviously disappointed at having not been able to meet Father Christmas and tell him personally what he wanted to find under the tree, so Mrs Etteridge got in touch with Jarrold to ask whether there was anything else they could do instead.

To the family’s surprise, Jarrold got back in touch to say they had arranged for Father Christmas to send a very special message to Freddie.

“Freddie received a personalised video message on Christmas Eve, where Father Christmas wished him the best Christmas ever,” said Freddie’s grandmother Anne Underwood.

“As you can imagine, Freddie was absolutely delighted to see Father Christmas on TV speaking directly to him.

“He also received a special letter from Father Christmas, as well as a parcel containing a toy tractor and trailer which he loved.”

“We’re very grateful to Jarrold because they really went above and beyond all expectations.”