Leeds grandparents have come up with a unique way so that they could hug their grandchildren at Christmas.
Barbara and Clive Walshaw have been unable to see or hug their grandchildren for over nine months as they have continued to shield amidst the coronavirus pandemic
Their son, Cllr Neil Walshaw for Headingley & Hyde Park, had spoken to his parents on what they would like for Christmas.
Neil told LeedsLive: "It's obviously been heartbreaking for them not being able to be with us for Christmas, but what's worse is they have not been able to have contact with my kids, their grandkids for nine months.
"They are amazing grandparents, we're a really close unit.
"So when I asked my mum what she would like for Christmas, she said that she wanted to be able to hug her grandchildren."
After doing a bit of research, the family found a way that they could safely have contact, whilst being in-line with NHS guidelines.
The Walshaws had ordered the grandparents two self-inflated costumes - Polar Bear costumes.
Neil said: "The thought of my two parents putting a massive Polar Bear costume on was hilarious!
"But to see them be able to hug the kids for the first time since March - it was just so amazing.
"It truly was the best five minutes of the year."
The grandparents will continue to shield amidst coronavirus until they have received their vaccines, and hope to be able to see and have regular contact with their grandchildren, Mackenzie (14), Morgan (8) and Quinn (6) when government guidelines suggest that it is safe to do so.
Neil said: "It was something we had been planning for around a month.
"It's crazy to think that we planned a hug for a month - but like I say, it was the best five minutes of the year."
