THIS Ipswich family enjoyed the Christmas of their dreams after Evening Star readers raised hundreds of pounds to send them on a holiday to Lapland.The Seymour family has spent the past year trying to rebuild their lives after a horror crash last summer left them in turmoil.

THIS Ipswich family enjoyed the Christmas of their dreams after Evening Star readers raised hundreds of pounds to send them on a holiday to Lapland.

The Seymour family has spent the past year trying to rebuild their lives after a horror crash last summer left them in turmoil.

Christine Seymour, 58, was killed, her husband Brian, 68, lost both of his legs and their grandson Kieran, now eight was left fighting for his life in Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Kieran's little brother Ethan, now four was also injured in the crash which happened as they crossed the London Road following a day out at Chantry Park in August last year . All four were struck by a motorbike.

Family friend Nikki Mundy joined forces with The Evening Star in a bid to send Kieran and Ethan on a Christmas holiday to Lapland with their parents Sam and Shaun Seymour.

The family have now returned from their trip to their home off Norwich Road, Ipswich and Mr Seymour said it was everything they could have hoped for.

He said: “It was fantastic. The boys loved it and I did too.

“Kieran enjoyed sledding up and down the slopes and we went on reindeer rides, husky rides and he went on a snow mobile and he has wanted to do that since day one.

“Kieran met Father Christmas and he and Ethan both got a present of an elf each - Kieran was over the moon with that.

“We want to thank Evening Star readers for their help in raising the money and everyone that made it possible for the family to go.”

The family went on a three-day trip to Finland, staying in the Winter Wonderland hotel.

It was a welcome respite for Kieran, who is still, undergoing treatment for injuries he sustained in the crash.

Mr Seymour added: “Kieran's legs have been playing him up in the cold weather and he is suffering.

“They are thinking about operating in March or April and taking tendons from the back of his leg and putting it in the front because the front is not picking up properly.

“His memory has been damaged through the head injury and things that happened three weeks ago he is struggling to remember.

“His school have been trying to do everything to make it easier for him and they have put him in small groups to make it easier for him.”

Brian Seymour is still living at his home, near to the scene of the accident in London Road.

His son said he was finding the festive period hard but is now using a battery operated wheelchair and is beginning to regain his independence.

Christopher Bainbridge of Lincoln Close, Ipswich is currently serving three-and-a-half years in prison for causing Mrs Seymour's death by dangerous driving.

Did your Christmas dreams come true? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblinks: www.laplandfinland.com; www.eveningstar.co.uk/news