North West businessman and charity campaigner, Michael Josephson, MBE, joined forces with Variety Young Ambassador and Pride of Britain winner, Dante Marvin, to spread some much-needed festive spirit in Merseyside… with the help of a very special guest, The Elf on the Shelf® mascot.

The pair, who met through their work at Variety, where Michael is Chairman of Patrons, presented children from the charity organisation Our Lost Love Years (OLLY), all members of the same family, with a range of The Elf on the Shelf® and Elf Pets® products to enjoy this Christmas. They were also given more fun surprises and gifts to share with their friends at the charity. There was even a special appearance from the one-and-only The Elf on the Shelf® mascot, who joined the group at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Liverpool for the fun ceremony.

The Lumistella Company’s donation, partnering with Josephson, valued at £7,000, will bring Christmas joy to the lives of the children at OLLY. The charity was set up as a place for bereaved children who have lost parents and siblings in tragic circumstances to meet and make friends, allowing them to take part in activities and adventures to help them through the grieving process.

Michael Josephson, MBE, said: “2020 has been a terrible year, many of us are feeling isolated and hopeless but for young children struggling with bereavement and often with no one to turn to, it must be so much tougher. That is why I wanted to cheer them up and of course there is nobody better to help than Dante, the happiest and most inspiring person I know. Big thanks to Dante, The Elf on the Shelf® and the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool for helping bring a smile to the children of OLLY”

Dante Marvin age 12yrs said, “I have never met a real Elf before, and I am so happy that The Elf on the Shelf® came along to give all my friends an early Christmas surprise present. We all had a brilliant day, and I cannot wait to put my little Scout Elf™ in my bedroom.”

OLLY is supported by Variety, and received a Sunshine Coach at a Variety event in 2013 in memory of the 96 victims of Hillsborough.