Two exceptional young people from Hull have been invited to switch on the city’s Christmas lights this year.
Paralympian Sophie Carter and inspirational Harrison Torr have been asked by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Wilson, to help with the festivities after he met them earlier this year.
Sophie, 15, who has cerebral palsy, is a gold and bronze medallist swimmer, achieving the accolades in the 2019 Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi.
And Harrison Torr, 15, was invited to meet the Lord Mayor after he was contacted by nuns at St Stephen’s Neighbourhood Centre and Church about his battle with cancer.
The nuns told the Mayor how Harrison had been an inspiration to other children and had remained positive and cheerful.
Sophie said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got a letter [from the Lord Mayor] asking me to switch on the Christmas lights because he had heard about my swimming. I am really looking forward to pushing that button.”
Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Steve Wilson, said: “This year’s Christmas lights switch-on is going to be a fantastic highlight in the festive calendar and I am pleased to have been able to ask these very special young people to help me with this year’s event.
“To have Sophie joining me to press the button is a real honour and I sincerely hope that Harri will be able to join us to kick-off Christmas in Queen Victoria Square.”
The big switch-on takes place in Queen Victoria Square on Thursday 14 November from 5pm to 7pm, with the lights being switched on at about 6.45pm.
