Christmas comes early for Aiden as he wins £250 to spend on toys in King's Lynn

​Eight-year-old Aiden Jones got an early Christmas present last week when he was given £250 to spend on toys in King's Lynn town centre.

​The Whitefriars Church Of England Primary Academy pupil was the winner of the Town Centre Halloween trail prize draw after he visited all 20 stamp stations around town during the annual event on October 31.
 
With the season of goodwill upon us, the Stoke Ferry youngster decided to split his prize with brother Leo, nine, and with his and his sibling’s classmates before they visited Youngsters World, in Norfolk Street, to choose their toys and games.
 
His mum, Mandy, said: "We really enjoyed the Halloween trail – Aiden and Leo particularly liked the stilt-walking bats and the band – and most of all, they felt like they’d got something out of taking part in this event, which is so important.
 
“It was a bit of a surprise when I got the call to say Aiden had won £250 to spend on toys, and he straight away decided that he was going to share this prize with his brother and also his classmates.
 
“He got board games for his class and Leo’s so they’d have something new to play with during wet play times at Whitefriars and so the other kids didn’t feel left out.
 
“He then let Leo choose a couple of bits for himself and he also got a board game for his Nan before he decided what he wanted for himself. He’s always been selfless.”
 
Aiden added: "I also liked going on the Halloween Trail because we visited lots of shops and I had my map stamped at everyone we went to. I was really happy when my mum told me I had won lots of toys.”
 
Vancouver Quarter centre manager Abbie Panks was pleased to meet and hear of Aiden’s selflessness.
 
“Aiden was such a lovely boy and it was very touching to see that he not only got a present for his class but also for Leo and his brother’s class,” she said. “I was also pleased to hear how much Aiden and Leo had enjoyed taking part in this year’s Halloween event.
 
“Free town-wide events, like Halloween, really encourage people to take in parts of the town they perhaps haven’t visited before so to hear Aiden and his family being so complimentary about all the retailers was great to hear.”
 
She added: “I’d also like to thank everyone who took part in our Halloween event this year. We’re still receiving plenty of positive feedback from parents and we’re already looking to make next year’s event bigger and better than ever.”
 
*Late Night Shopping continues tomorrow with performances from pupils at West Lynn Primary and Glebe House on Baxter’s Plain (near Argos and Costa Coffee). Then on Thursday December 15, Elfish Pressie and the Christmas Crackers are returning, by popular demand, to perform in the centre from 3.30pm.
 
There’s also a Christmas Fairies workshop which is being run from 3pm to 6pm as well as carol singing on Baxter’s Plain from pupils at King’s Lynn Academy, Reffley School, and West Lynn Primary and people from the Church in the Woottons, the Gateway Church and the King’s Lynn Christian Fellowship Church.
 
The final Late Night Shopping evening on December 22 will see the Ukulele Elves perform in the shopping centre from 3.30pm with the King’s Lynn Town Band playing on Baxter’s Plain from 6pm.
 
The following retailers will also remain open until 8pm during the final three Thursday evenings: Argos, Bargain Buys, Blue Inc, Card Factory, Cards Direct, Claire's, Costa, Ikon, Lavitta, New Look, Peacocks, Poundland, Select, Sports Direct, Superdrug, The Perfume Shop, Tiger, TK Maxx, Trespass, Warren James, Wilko, Wimpy, Yours, Sainsbury's. Ann Summers will remain open each Late Night Shopping evening until 6.30pm.