A hotel brought some merry cheer to a young boy with its special Christmas lights switch-on.

The Grand in Brighton hosted its annual Christmas light switch-on event on Wednesday to raise money for charity.

Along with their big Christmas tree and choir singers in the main foyer, they also have one special person to press the button to turn on the lights.

This year five-year-old Bodhi was chosen as the VIP to do the honours. When he was three, he was diagnosed with Leukaemia and began treatment at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.

Bodhi pressed the all-important button to turn on the Christmas lights (Image: Louise Yates / The Argus Camera Club) Bodhi has been going through treatment and Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, who have been supporting him and his family, thought it would be nice if Bodhi and his mother Hannah were able to come along to turn the lights on.

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity is a Brighton charity that has been supporting sick babies and children in Sussex for over 50 years.

So, after some mulled wine and singing from a local children’s choir from Westdene Primary School, the crowd gathered outside the hotel for the countdown and then the whole front of the beautiful building was lit up, following the all-important button being pressed by Bodhi.

Hannah said: “We didn’t even think we would make it out of the hospital two years ago, our tree went up late on Christmas eve and we didn’t make it out of our pyjamas.

“This year we can’t wait to make special memories outside the four walls of a hospital.”

A spokesman for Rockinghorse Children’s Chairty said: “All in all, it was a fantastic evening and a great way to kick off this year’s festive celebrations – thanks so much to The Grand for making such a special evening for Hannah and Bodhi.”

The event also raised money for Together Co, a loneliness charity that creates connections to change lives in Brighton and Hove.

An Argus Camera Clubphotographer, Louise Yates, went along to snap some great photos of the event.