Blue Light gets local launch
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Blue Santa, Ruby Kelly the Elf and Mrs Blue Claus with Mullingar’s Saoirse Reynolds, who stars in Operation Blue Light Prankster, and her family Garda Claire Reynolds, David Reynolds and brothers Ciarán and Seán Reynolds.Image 2 of 3
Carla Thompson, mother of Lucy, who stars in Operation Blue Light Prankster, pictured with Blue Santa.Image 3 of 3
Garda Emma Kiernan and Garda Geraldine Heneghan of Ballymahon Garda Station, Ciara O’Meara, Erica Chadwick O’Meara, Jack O’Meara, HG Kalvin O’Meara with Blue Santa, Pat Taaffe, Jessica Thompson, Mrs Blue Claus, and Garda Lorraine Shiel, Garda Anthony Scanlon and Sergeant James Rowan of the Longford Community Policing Unit.Ballymahon author Jessica Thompson and illustrator N.A.D. officially launched their latest children’s book, Operation Blue Light Prankster on Sunday at the Bridgeways Family Resource Centre, Ballymahon.
The day kicked off with a private party for local Little Blue Heroes children, which was also attended by Mullingar girl, Saoirse Reynolds, who stars in this year’s book alongside Lucy Thompson, also from Mullingar. Lucy’s mother, Carla, attended the event.
Blue Santa arrived alongside Blue Mrs Claus and Ruby the Blue Elf, and was on hand to deliver goodie bags to the Little Blue Heroes children, who had the opportunity to dance, partake in arts and crafts, and to enjoy a treasure hunt.
Garda Rossa Smith of the Garda National Dog Unit also attended with spaniel, Dutch, who was well received by the children.
Later, the public were welcomed into the centre to meet Blue Santa and purchase a copy of this year’s and previous years’ books.
Operation Blue Light Prankster is the fourth book in the Blue Light Santa Series, following Operation Blue Light Heroes in 2023, Operation Blue Nose Reindeer in 2022 and Operation Blue Santa in 2021.
The Operation Blue Santa programme was founded in 2021 by Garda Emma Kiernan, as a way to raise funds for children’s charities in the lead-up to Christmas. So far, the Blue Santa team has raised in excess of €31,000 over three consecutive years, and hopes to continue that trend in 2024.
All proceeds from this year’s book will go to the Little Blue Heroes Foundation, a national charity, which supports the families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland, while empowering the lives of children by making them Honorary Gardaí and through positive community engagement.
Operation Blue Light Prankster stars Gorm, a naughty little elf who wreaks havoc in the North Pole, delaying the usual Christmas Eve running order, and causing concern among the other elves.
It’s the Community Policing Unit who eventually catch the naughty elf and, with the help of their little assistant detective elves, Saoirse and Lucy, they put Gorm back on the right path, steering him away from a life of crime.
The book retails at €10 and is currently available in Newsround Longford and Wilder & Gold, Ballymahon. To order this book online, or to complete your Blue Light Santa collection with the previous books, contact @BlueLightSanta on Facebook or Instagram.