Wishes really do come true

BEARING gifts . . . from left, mum Anita, son Adam, grandmother Angela Bryant and Chaddy the Owl with the donated presents

Oldhamers donate gifts galore to help Adam make Christmas special
YOUNG Adam McQuillan was showered with gifts after he made a plea through the Chronicle for readers to help him make Christmas special for other youngsters.

The nine year old and his mum Anita Claxton were bowled over by the generosity of Oldhamers, who handed over almost 550 presents.

They enlisted the help of Oldham Athletic mascot Chaddy the Owl when they took them to Manchester Children’s Hospital — to give them to children on the ward where Adam spent last Christmas.

Adam spent eight months in the hospital after he was knocked down by a car as he walked to a shop in Roundthorn.

The youngster, back home for seven months, and his mother thought of ways to help other youngsters to say thank-you for the help they received.

The family raised £5,000 for the hospital’s intensive care unit — but Adam wanted to do something for children who couldn’t be at home on Christmas Day.

Adam and his mum launched “Adam’s Christmas Wish,” to collect as many gifts as possible.

“Adam is a bit overwhelmed by it all, but he was really excited about larking about with Chaddy the Owl and giving out the presents,” said Anita.

“At first I thought it would be good if we could get between 50 and 100 gifts, but we have got hundreds — and they are not small ones either. I just couldn’t believe it when I counted 549. We have so many people to thank.”

She told the Chronicle. “What has happened to us makes you appreciate what you have. This Christmas we will appreciate the fact we are all at home together as a family and not in hospital.”