'Dear Santa' wish comes true for Charlie

Newbury boy Charlie Howard, aged five, sent a letter to the Newbury Weekly News’ Dear Santa Competition in which he asked for various gifts including a toy Jaguar car.
Managing director of Greenham Business Park-based firm KWE, Chris Knowles, saw Charlie’s letter and decided to play Santa by offering Charlie not only a model toy Jaguar but also a ride in one of their classic Jaguars and a tour round the KWE premises.
Mr Knowles said: “My wife spotted the Santa letter in the NWN because it mentioned a Jaguar toy and we are a Jaguar restoration company.
“It struck me then that we could give Charlie a Christmas treat which should make a memorable experience for him.”
On Monday, Mr Knowles and his wife Theresa, a co-director of the firm, paid a surprise visit to Charlie and his brother George, aged seven, to deliver the gift and to take both boys for a trip in a vintage Jaguar XJS.
“He loved it,” said Mr Knowles. “His mother had kept it a surprise from him and he really was surprised when my wife and I turned up out of nowhere. They were quite blown away.
“Both my wife and I were delighted to meet Charlie and his family and to kindle an interest in classic Jaguar sports cars.”
Charlie’s mother Alex Howard told the Newbury Weekly News last week that her son, who attends Brockhurst School, first became interested in Jaguars during a visit to the classic car show at Blenheim Palace in the summer.
“It was brilliant, he had a smile from ear to ear the whole time,” said Ms Howard. “He hasn’t put the toy car down, I think that will be permanently by his side.
“I’m so grateful that there are still people out there that decide to do that sort of thing to make a little boy’s dream come true - a huge thank you.”