Wilfie’s reindeer help research into cancer

Wilfie’s reindeer help research into cancer

16 December 2015

WHEN retired teacher Wilfred Keys visited his son in Scotland two years ago, the Spa man was impressed by hand-made wooden reindeers he saw throughout the countryside.

On returning to his Spa home, he decided to replicate the decorative pieces, painstakingly creating deer from tree stumps and branches.

The results were so popular that Wilfred invited a few friends on board to help him make more pieces, leading to a thriving cottage industry in the Spa countryside.

With friends and family offering to sell the reindeer, Wilfred decided to make the most of his venture and to dedicate all money raised to the Queen’s University Foundation for work into cancer research.

He said he chose the cause because of the number of friends and family members who have battled cancer and said the foundation’s work particularly appealed because all the money donated is used for research.

With 200 deer already through the production line, he is hoping the little industry will make a difference to ongoing work carried out thanks to the foundation.

“I got permission from Spa Presbyterian Church to put some of the larger deer in the grounds, which are at the crossroads of the village,” he said.

“My son-in-law has a butchers shop in Carryduff where he sells them for me and Kelvin Graham Gents Outiftters in Ballynahinch also stock them.

“A friend of mine told me about Professor Joe O’Sullivan who does excellent work for cancer research at Queen’s and that is where I have asked that all the money goes.”

Wilfred, who taught sciences at Downpatrick Technical College for 23 years before his retirement and who also has a degree in agriculture, admits he has acquired new skills through his festive hobby.

But he admits he doesn’t do it all himself and instead depends a lot on friends to help him with the finishing touches.

“I have two friends coming on Wednesday to help put the legs on,” he said. “We are a group of retired men with time on our hands.”