PARENTS OF YOUNG children will no doubt be aware of the Elf on the Shelf, a festive tradition from the US that has made its way over here.
If you’re unfamiliar, it goes like this: The elf keeps tabs on children on Santa’s behalf, reporting back on the good and bad behaviour he witnesses.
Critics call it a chilling example of surveillance culture, but kids love it! So who are we to judge.
Anyway, a life-size Elf on the Shelf is currently terrorising the residents of Malahide, Co Dublin.
The elf has been spotted all over the village, even violating the sanctity of the most holiest of spaces, Avoca.
His reign of terror culminated yesterday with a stolen Garda hat and a car chase down the main street, a video of which has been shared widely on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MalahideXmasElf/videos/163494084258663/
But he’s not causing mischief for no reason at all (which may not be much consolation for Malahide Gardaí).
The elf – first name Elvis – is only trying to raise money for the Ross Nugent Foundation, a charity set up in the name of a young man who passed away from a rare form of cancer in 2010.
https://www.facebook.com/MalahideXmasElf/videos/163153207626084/
The foundation will use the money to purchase new equipment for Beaumont Hospital that will make life easier for cancer patients and their families, as well as the staff.
So if you spot Elvis in Malahide, go up and say hello. He’s nice really.
