A PAIR of inspirational Greenock youngsters who are battling serious health conditions will get the chance to shine at Cardwell Garden Centre this week.
Brave Jon Jai Stanton, 12, and Aria Mearns, seven, have been chosen to switch on the centre's Christmas lights as part of a fun event on Thursday night.
Jon Jai is currently undergoing gruelling chemotherapy for blood cancer, and Aria has endured severe eczema since she was a baby.
The pair were chosen after the team at Cardwell asked members of the public to nominate deserving youngsters to be special guests on the night.
The courageous youngsters will press the button to officially launch Christmas season in the outdoor area next to the cafe at 6pm on Thursday.
Jon Jai was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year and is receiving six rounds of chemotherapy, with each round lasting five days at a time.
Family friend Gillian Watson nominated Jon Jai to switch on the lights.
She said: "I am astounded by the heroism Jon Jai has shown in such difficult times, especially as he is such a young boy.
"He has been so brave and strong through the many hospital visits for chemotherapy and the sickness and hair loss that goes with the treatment.
"He is an inspiration.
"Being chosen to switch on the Christmas lights is a wonderful treat for him and his family giving them such happy memories during a very difficult time."
Jon Jai's mum, Angela said: "We’re very proud of Jon Jai.
"He has been amazing through it all and is helping the rest of the family cope with what's happening."
Aria was nominated by her mum, Lesley, who revealed her daughter has had severe eczema since she was only four months old.
When Aria's eczema flares up it causes cracks in her skin that can lead to infections, and she has been admitted to hospital several times for treatment.
Last year, Aria was chosen by the Eczema Outreach Support charity to be the face of their fundraising campaign, and she raised more than £550 for the charity by completing a 5K sponsored walk.
Aria's mum Lesley said: "Aria has battled with eczema since she was a baby and it affects so many aspects of her life.
"She has had to miss out on a lot of things other kids do, which is very difficult at her age.
"Aria has to use creams and ointments every day and wears medical gloves when she goes to school."
"She's a brave wee soul considering everything she has to put up with.
"The chance to switch on the Cardwell Christmas lights means the world to her and will to make her feel so special."
At the Christmas lights switch-on and shopping event will run from 5-9pm.
Some of the entertainment on the night will include Santa's Grotto, a DJ playing festive hits, the Ardgowan Singers performing carols and Christmas songs, a the Salvation Army band.
Cardwell's retail general manager Paul Carmichael said: "We’re really looking forward to our Christmas lights being turned on by Jon Jai and Aria.
"I hope the two youngsters enjoy being our festive celebrities for the night and lots of people come along to see them get Christmas off to a cracking start."
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