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Malton paddleboarder: Teenage 'elf' delivers Christmas gifts to care home

Amy Pulling Oscar on his paddleboardAmy Pulling
Oscar was paddleboarding near the care home where he has a part-time job

A 15-year-old boy dressed as an elf crossed floodwater on his paddleboard to hand out Christmas gifts to the residents of a Malton care home.

Oscar Pulling made it across a flooded field to surprise people at Abbey Residential Home as they returned from a festive pub lunch.

The teenager works at the home in his spare time as a kitchen porter and his mother, Amy, works there as a carer.

"Everyone loved it, they were all smiling and laughing," he said.

Oscar, who lives with Amy in Malton, North Yorkshire, said he wanted to take chocolates to the residents to "spread some festive joy".

Amy Pulling Oscar delivering chocolates to residentsAmy Pulling
Audrey Bielby was thrilled to be surprised with chocolates by Oscar

The teenager, who has been paddleboarding for about five years, said: "I was in an elf onesie but there was a life jacket underneath.

"I was out there for like 15-20 minutes, I had a big sack of presents on my paddleboard with me.

"Chocolates, all sorts - just lots of nice presents."

His mum said the residents had just been to The Wentworth Arms in Old Malton for their Christmas lunch.

"We timed it all so as they were all making their way back, Oscar was there to greet them on the paddleboard," she explained.

"They were all so pleased to see him. He's usually in his scrubs so to see him dressed as an elf was so lovely."

Amy Pulling Oscar delivering giftsAmy Pulling
Ray Mitchell was among the 16 residents who went to the local pub for their Christmas lunch

She said there were "a good five fields flooded with water, from Old Malton right to the A64" and the water was fairly deep.

The surprise visit happened on Friday - which was also her birthday - and Oscar had done it as a present to her as well as the residents, she added.

Ann Race, manager of the residential home, said: "Oscar paddled up to The Abbey to the delighted whoops and cheers of the residents and staff.

"He had a huge enormous wide smile that showed how much he was enjoying himself.

"He managed to stay afloat with his large red sack of goodies for the residents, and kept dry. The residents have been taking of little else since."

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