Friday, December 24, 2010

Families' bright idea to boost charity funds

BRITAIN'S most festive cul-de-sac burst into colour as the homeowners switched on their illuminations – with almost 100,000 blazing Christmas lights.

Six families on Trinity Close, Burnham, have 15,000 fairy lights each covering their homes and gardens.

Sparkling Santas, reindeers and snowmen will also adorn the houses until the new year – making it one of the brightest streets in the country during Christmas.

Thousands of visitors flock from miles to view the display, helping it raise thousands of pounds for charity every year.

The tradition was started 11 years ago by Nick Gardner, 42, and wife Hazel, 41, with neighbours Chris Woodberry, 63, and his late wife Christine, who died last 2008, aged 61.

Mr Gardner said: ''It's a brilliant tradition and cheers everyone in the street up.

"Everyone takes it as fun and it's lovely to see when you arrive home from work.

"It's a good community activity and a great way to get to know your neighbours. I'm always sad when we finally switch the lights off – it would be great to have them on all year."

Since the decoration tradition started, the other households have joined in and have added more and more lights – mostly in white and blue – to their collection.

Paula Payne, who lives next door to Mr and Mrs Gardner, has taken part since she moved to the area with her husband Graham, 60, five years ago. The 66-year-old said: "This year has to be our best display. We hope to raise a good sum for charity. That's the most important reason for it."

Visitors are asked to donate in one of the collection boxes. Last year's display raised �6,300.

Donations go to Petals, a charitable trust set up in memory of Christine Woodbury, to benefit local cancer hospices; and Barb. The lights are lit between 4.15pm and 10pm until January 6.

Economics World Cup 2022 Art Property Sweden WikiLeaks

No comments:

Post a Comment