WYTHALL Witch Walk is back for its third year running, and is raising money for three charities local to Wythall and Hollywood.
Alison Skeoch, a Wythall local, came up with the idea for the witch walk whilst her son was was in hospital going through cancer treatment.
“Dan, our son, had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time, he had just had a thyroidectomy and on 31st October – Halloween, and he was going into the Queen Elizabeth for three days of radiotherapy.
“No visitors, no contact, no hugs or kisses, and I knew how I had felt the first time he had cancer at four years old and thought there is no way I can sit at home and do nothing.
“So I put a post up on our local Facebook page ‘The only Way is Wythall, Hollywood & Earlswood’ asking ‘does anyone have any kids I can borrow to go trick or treating with?’
“Little did I know that 300 parents would want to get rid of their kids for the night and then the the Wythall witch walk was born.”
Parents buy a map of the village with houses that are partaking featured, then children visit the houses to trick or treat.
“Glenn O’Connor at Hot Lobster Design Ltd volunteered the services of his company to design and print the maps for free and has done so for all three years.
“Tina Lupoli at Bean 47, Drakes Cross parade is once again hosting the event for us.
“Each year she makes freakshakes’ and donates 50p to our charities from the sale of each shake.”
Smart Homes, an estate agents in Solihull are sponsoring the event.
Louise O’Conner sales director at Smart Homes said: “I first saw the post on Facebook about the witch walk three years ago, where Alison was asking for raffle prizes, so we donated a bike and it just grew from there really.
“It’s proved to be really popular and just gets bigger and bigger each year, it’s a great community event and I just love Halloween.”
The money raised from selling the maps are being divided between Hollytrees Animal Rescue Trust, Acorns and Teenage Cancer Trust.
“Claire Brown is my friend, we are two mums who have both done the Cancer journey but sadly with different endings.
“Her son Callum passed away from Cancer 3 years ago and I made a promise to Claire to keep Callums name alive and we do this by donating money to the Teenage Cancer Trust in loving memory of Callum.”
Maps for this years event go on sale on Saturday 9th October between 10am and 12 noon at Bean 47, Drakes Cross Parade and are £3 each.
