Local girl Ruby (8) to switch on Athlone's Christmas lights

Ruby Morrissey, an eight-year-old Athlone girl who is battling a rare disease, will turn on the town's Christmas lights this coming Sunday, November 27.

The switching on of the lights will take place at the town's civic centre at 4pm, and will include a visit from Santa and music from BowTie and the Athlone Choral Society. Pete Casey will be the MC for the event.

Ruby Morrissey and her Mum, Elaine, have Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS), a rare and painful genetic disorder.

Ruby's brother Jordan, and his friend Isaac O'Neill, recently walked to Dublin both to help raise funds for surgery which Elaine requires and to generate more awareness of EDS.