A Christmas-crazy Northallerton woman is set to don a new festive jumper every day in June to raise money for charity after a friend’s young son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.
Despite the scorching temperatures, Kelly Simpson, 42, will be proudly wearing her 60-strong collection of Christmas jumpers throughout June.
A member of police staff at North Yorkshire Police, Kelly is undertaking the challenge to support her friend Susanne Driffield, whose 13-year-old son, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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The devastating condition is rare, progressive and life-limiting. Duchenne muscular dystrophy mainly affects boys and causes progressive muscle weakness, leading to increasing and severe disability, and impacts vital organs, cutting lives short.
It not only affects muscles used for movement but also vital organs, cutting lives short. The funds raised will be donated to Muscular Dystrophy UK, the national charity that supports those with muscle-wasting conditions.
Kelly says: “The Christmas jumper challenge is my own unique way of supporting a very special lad, Joe, and his family, who I love with all my heart.
“No one is going to expect me to be wearing a Christmas jumper or hat in June! I’m excited to put my Christmas tree up and Christmas decorations in the windows.
“I’ve warned my neighbours that I’ve not lost the plot – it’s just such a good way to highlight the amazing work that the charity does and raise money at the same time.
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“I’m a bit nervous about how it’s going to pan out if it’s really hot, but if it’s scorching I’ll wear a Christmas headband instead of a hat.”
Kelly has been known around her local town for wearing Christmas jumpers throughout December for the past nine years – and her annual Christmas fundraiser is warmly supported and has previously raised just over £3,500 for the charity. This is the first year that Kelly will undertake the challenge out of season - in June.
Kelly added: “I’m not brave enough to jump out of a plane – others have raised money by doing a skydive, for example – but I thought, I’ll do this because I love Christmas. It went down so well when I started doing it 9 years ago, so I did it the next year and then it became a tradition.
Joe’s mum, Susanne, who works as the regional development manager for North of England & East Midlands at Muscular Dystrophy UK, is even getting into the Christmas spirit.
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She said: “I’ve known Kelly for almost 20 years and for half that time she’s supported Muscular Dystrophy UK. She was the one who even inspired me to apply for my role at the charity.
“Kelly’s fundraiser puts the fun into fundraising, and it means so much to me personally and the charity. To celebrate, I’ll be digging out the Christmas tree and hosting a special Christmas dinner for us on June 25 to mark the occasion.”
The funds raised will continue to help Muscular Dystrophy UK support people living with muscle-wasting conditions and fund further research and treatment.
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