Wickhambrook's lockdown willow fairy Julie has a heart of gold

For several weeks, residents of Wickhambrook have been delighted by waking up to crafted willow hearts which had been placed on their door during the night.

The mystery of the Wickhambrook willow fairy was finally resolved when a resident of the village revealed on a community Facebook page that it was her and that she was ‘hanging up her wings.’

Forty-five-year-old Julie Little, had made 70 of the willow hearts and placed them on the doors of two houses each night chosen at random to bring some cheer to her village during lockdown.

“The main reason was to try and make everyone smile and try to bring love and happiness around the village at this sad time,” she said.

After announcing her identity, a fund-raiser was set up on the community page, with Julie asking that all donations go to NHS Charities Together.

The current total raised by residents of Wickhambrook and the surrounding area stands at £430. One neighbour who received a heart, Daphne Barnes, described the willow hearts as ‘such a lovely gesture.’