Canadian town celebrates Christmas in October for terminally ill boy

Evan Leversage may not live to see Christmas, so well-wishers in St George and around the world are moving it to Saturday

Evan Leversage's family were urged to celebrate Christmas early by doctors (Facebook)

An entire Canadian town is celebrating Christmas in October for a terminally ill boy who may not live to see 25 December.

Seven-year-old Evan Leversage was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at just two years old and after several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, doctors have told his family there is nothing more they can do.

The devastating news inspired his cousin to set up a Facebook campaign group called Christmas in St George, urging local residents to “rally around their littlest hero”.

<3 Evan <3

Love this kid <3

Posted by Nicole Wellwood on Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Almost 3,000 people have joined the group and the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support ahead of the event on Saturday.

The incredible response has not been confined to St George – supporters around the world are sending their Christmas wishes to the family using the #lightsonforevan hashtag on Facebook and Twitter.

Justin Bieber’s father, Jeremy, was among those spreading the word, writing: “To my littlest hero Evan Leversage of St. George ON. Merry Christmas bud.”

Hundreds of people in the town, near Hamilton in Ontario, have decked their houses out with festive lights, while local businesses, volunteers and musicians have joined together to organise a Christmas parade to go past Evan’s house.

Dancers, a fire engine, horses, a DeLorean and Father Christmas will be among the 25 floats, the Toronto Sun reported.

A tide of presents and cards are also being sent to the family home, where Evan lives with his mother and two brothers, Logan and Tyson.

People were urged to make Christmas come early in St George, Canada (Facebook)

Nicole Wellwood, the boys’ mother, told CBC News she had been overwhelmed by the response.

“Everywhere you look it's Christmas - it's more than I could have imagined,” she said.

“Evan’s been phenomenal through it all. He wants to make everyone happy. In my eyes, he's a hero. He never complained of any pain. He persevered through his whole thing.”

Ms Wellwood said that when her son asked her why the whole of St George was decorated for Christmas, she replied: “Because you have a whole town that loves you.”

Posted by Shelly Wellwood on Friday, 25 September 2015

Her cousin also set up a page on GoFundMe called One Last Christmas, which raised more than $12,000 (£8,000) in just four days.

“Recently Evan’s mom received the news that he will not be with us much longer,” Shelly Wellwood wrote.

“This page has been set up for those who want to offer some financial assistance to help the family in the next few months.”

She said the donations will be go towards the family’s food and living expenses, as well as Evan’s brothers’ education.

A local restaurant is hosting a special dinner for the family on Saturday before the parade starts at 7pm, while a hockey tournament and arena function are also planned.