Kind-hearted youngsters offered some festive cheer at a special candlelit procession.

In harmony - youngsters sing carols during the Lucia event. Picture: STEVE ARGENT 40055-2

The children from the Ramsey Crusaders took part in the annual Lucia event last night, beginning in the village at Michaelstowe Hall.

They then walked with lanterns to Harwich Hospital to give sweets and sing carols to the patients. About 20 children, along with some adults, took part to bring a smile to everybody in the lead-up to Christmas.

Joanna Nightingale, one of the organisers, said: "So often we hear about children who misbehave, but here is a group of kids trying to bring some light into old and ill people's lives."

The children, from primary schools across the district, were upholding a tradition dating back 2,000 years when they entered the procession.

The Lucia event started in the first century, when a girl by that name showed courage to bring light and food to Christians sheltering from persecution in caves.

More in today's Evening Gazette

Published Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette