A 13-year-old boy has been left "utterly heartbroken" after his local Labour council invited him to be this year’s "special guest" at the Christmas lights switch-on, only to sideline him "in favour of a relative of the mayor," his mother has said.
Logan Keir, who was born with 22q deletion syndrome and autism, had been eagerly preparing for the event alongside his mother, Gemma.
Both are well-known figures in the area, thanks to their TikToks spreading positivity, which have reached almost half a million followers.
Ms Keir has also launched a series of books called The Abilities and Me, which advocate for and empower children with disabilities and their families.
In September, the council confirmed via email that both would appear on stage with Santa and the council leader, and even requested their photograph for publicity materials, which they used on leaflets distributed across the town.
But when the pair arrived, they were pushed to the back of the crowd and despite his image being used on flyers and posters, his name was omitted from the event’s schedule.
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Ms Keir told GB News the pair were “just used for a publicity stunt,” leaving Logan confused and heartbroken.
“The magic of Christmas was taken away from him,” she said.
"After the event he just kept saying over and over again that it was a terrible day.”
She explained: "He's put out such a good message across the years. I think they've made a huge mistake because he is a child that is very loved and seen.
Ms Keir said that she feels as though she was 'used for a publicity stunt'
|GEMMA KEIR
"They told us to share it with our followers, so we have been posting saying Logan's turning on the lights. Logan's doing it. Oh, my God, it's gonna be so cold. Come on, Logan, we've got it.
"Then we have to go back on and say Logan didn't turn the lights on, it's so embarrassing."
She added: "I cried, and I was up all night Saturday because I feel like an awful mum. I feel like I've been building up something so magical.
"Then I'm trying to then have to sit and console and explain to him what's happened, Logan doesn't understand really like what unfairness is or unkindness. He's 13 but mentally he's six. He doesn't understand."
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Logan Keir, who was born with 22q deletion syndrome and autism, had been eagerly preparing for the event
|GEMMA KEIR
After the event she posted on social media: "An actual embarrassment Stevenage Town Centre preparing a child with a disability to light up Stevenage with his condition, waiting out hours in this weather.
"Preparing him and his needs for what finally seemed like an inclusive welcome to our community to be pushed at the back and have the mayors relation or another child, press the button."
"Everything I do is fight for inclusion and have put so much into our community and this... Never again.
"Logan has half a million followers on TikTok and he will now have to update them and tell them how he didn't even see Santa on the stage and that's our OWN hometown."
Cllr Coleen De Freitas, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Young People at Stevenage Borough Council has told The People's Channel: "I am sorry to learn about Gemma and Logan’s experience at our Christmas Light Switch on.
"They were invited to be this year’s special guests to switch the lights on. It was not our intention to offend or ignore them, and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise on behalf of the council.
"I will contact Gemma to listen to her views on yesterday’s event and to say sorry for not taking time to ensure Gemma and her son were visible and able to carry out their role.
"Lots of people came to the event to support Gemma’s work leading The Abilities in Me Foundation.
"As the Cabinet Member responsible for Equalities and Young People, I want to ensure the council takes the necessary steps to avoid experiences like this in the future."
Logan was left heartbroken and kept saying 'what a terrible day'
|GEMMA KEIR
Despite this, Ms Keir revealed that neither she nor Logan has not received a personal apology from the council as of yet.
She told Britain's News Channel: "Everyone's just putting stuff on Facebook and I have said stop. Logan's not on Facebook.
"He's not going to sit and read your post. He's on a very basic reading level, he can't.
"You can't just put up a Facebook post and be like, 'Oh, we're so sorry to Logan and his family.'
"You've got to do a human thing here and approach or invite him and just, I don't know, say sorry to the kid."
In the email that had been sent to Logan in September and has been seen by GB News, it read: "I confirm it would be a pleasure to have Gemma and Logan turning on our Christmas lights.
"They will be on stage with Santa and the leader of the council.
"Please can you provide an image of Logan and Gemma so we can use on our flyers and headline it how you wish?
"If you can have that with me by the end of the week."
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