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Gabby Stephens was too sick to go to the Nelson Santa Parade, so the community came together to bring the festivities to her doorstep.
The 10-year-old boy lives with a rare premature aging disorder known as dyskeratosis congenita (DC) and is believed to be the only person in New Zealand to have it.
He had a cold last weekend and was disheartened to miss Nelson’s event, something he has attended almost every year with his parents and two brothers.
When Nelson Santa Parade MC Murray Leaning learned that Gabby had not been able to attend, he put the call on Facebook asking if anyone was willing to bring the parade for her.
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“There was an incredible response from the community, everyone I asked raised their hands and said they would be there, and many more.
“We weren’t expecting anything like the kind of response we’ve had.
Leaning said it was a sign that the community spirit in Nelson was alive and well.
On Sunday afternoon, a convoy of about 40 vehicles and floats made its way down Sanctuary Drive in Nelson’s Marsden Valley toward Stephens’ home.
MARTIN DE RUYTER / THINGS
Gabby Stephens, watches a special Santa parade being organized for her, travels her Sanctuary Dr in Stoke.
Led by a band of bagpipes playing Little Drummer, the parade included Nelson police personnel, Irish dancers, volunteer firefighters, members of Menzshed Waimea, YMCA and Miter 10 Mega Nelson staff, among others.
Jingle bells You could hear the hum in the valley above the hum of Mustang engines as the convoy of vehicles moved through the valley.
The streets were packed with residents and visitors, some who had bought deck chairs and many who wore Santa hats for the occasion.
Gabby, her friends and family lined the roadside, getting front row seats for the show, much to her delight.
“The Santa Parade in Nelson hit our street and it was really cool as I missed it.”
She said it was “very nice” for Leaning to organize the parade to come to her and the mermaid show had been her favorite part of the event.
MARTIN DE RUYTER / THINGS
Santa Parade Trust President Trevor Marshall, left, and Santa give Gabby Stephens a Christmas present.
The convoy of tinsel-decorated Mustangs revving their engines brought onlookers joy, with Santa arriving in one of the gray convertible sports cars, with a stuffed reindeer on the hood.
Gabby’s mother, Megan Stephens, said the parade had been “amazing” and the family was grateful for everyone who had participated in bringing the holiday festivities to Gabby.
“When Murray called on the phone to say he would like to put on a little Santa parade, I wasn’t expecting this scale, this is just overwhelming.
“The amount of people from the street who have come and the friends who have come, the family and the whole community who have taken time out of their Sunday, just a few days before Christmas … is simply incredible.
