5-year-old 'Child of the Year' Jake to switch on Jersey Christmas lights

A five-year-old boy, who won an award for how he coped with his sister's death, will switch on the Christmas lights in St Helier tonight.

Jake Hutchings was named the Pride of Jersey Child of the Year earlier this year, after losing his sister Izzy last Christmas Eve.

Izzy was diagnosed with Pearson Syndrome soon after birth. It is an extremely rare and life-limiting mitochondrial disorder, which her mum says affected her in almost every way - her heart, eyes, muscles, bone marrow, kidney, pancreas, liver and cognitive abilities were all impacted.

Jake always helped his sister in every way he could right up until she died. Credit: The Hutchings family

Jake always helped his sister in every way he could; something his mum says makes him an 'absolute star'.

Following their tragic loss last December, the family are hoping tonight's Christmas lights event will mark the start of a much happier festive period this year.

  • Watch Jake's story here...

  • CLICK HERE to find out all the details for the Christmas lights switch on 2019