Heckington villagers put out banners and gifts in lockdown 5th birthday surprise for Oliver

Young Oliver Wharram moved to the village with his family from Kent a few years ago when he was just four days old, although his mum, Beck, is originally from Ewerby.

Beck said Oliver has been counting down the days to his fifth birthday party since he started at Kirkby La Thorpe School last September, but Covid-19 restrictions put paid to party plans.

Not wanting to leave the little lad totally miserable, Beck put out a short appeal on the Heckington Facebook page asking if people living in the centre of the village would pop a birthday themed picture up for him to spot like a treasure hunt for his birthday.

An amazed Beck said: “The response was above and beyond what we all expected.”

Beck and husband Chris, along with Oliver and two-year-old sister Freya then headed off for a walk around the village on Monday along High Street, Cameron Street, Church Street and Eastgate.

Beck explained: “It was the first time the children have been out in the village for seven weeks, as we have chosen to exercise in the garden.

“The villagers rallied round and decorated windows, put up balloons, banners, gifts, posters and badges for him to see whilst he walked around the village.

“They wrapped presents, left gift bags with sweets and chocolates on railings and on lampposts. It’s just heart warming and such a positive community story at this time.”

She added: “As we passed people in the street they were calling out ‘Happy birthday Oliver’. He felt like a local celebrity for a day.

Beck said they no idea what to expect and it was a surprise for all the family.

“He went to bed having had a lovely birthday and feeling really special as every child should, and was totally unaware of anything virus related. Just perfect,” she said.