A Cotswold man is continuing to cover his home in Christmas lights in memory of his wife.
The dazzling display in South Cerney is put together by Kelvin Wearing, with the help of his family, to raise funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice - who cared for Sandra Wearing before she died.
It’s the eighth year the family have transformed their home in Beverstone Road, with more lights and decorations added each year.
The lights, which are switched on daily from 5pm to 8.30pm, include 76 festive silhouettes, 15 Christmas acrylic figures, 12 inflatables, 10 reindeers, 9 sets of twinkly lights, four sets of icicle lights, a kaleidoscope projecting Christmas patterns, a parachuting Santa and 17 3D items including a train, 3D see-saw, 3D snowman, Father Christmas, an elf, a sledging snowman and a festive Dachshund.
Following their annual shopping trip for more lights this year, the family have lots of new additions including a nativity scene section of lights with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds and a star above too, and they've had to extend their framework higher for the display.
The family spend weeks transforming their home into the Winter Wonderland before the switch on in December. Over the past eight years the family’s fundraising efforts have raised £2,736 for the Sue Ryder hospice.
Debbie Walton has been helping her dad, Kelvin, create this year’s display.
“It’s become a real highlight for local children who get very excited when they start seeing Dad put up the lights. I think Dad loves seeing their faces light up too," she said.
Kelvin added: “We love seeing people’s smiles as they come to see our Christmas light display, and it means even more to us to see those smiles during the ongoing pandemic.
“Sandra always loved the Christmas lights so for us this seemed the perfect way to raise funds for the hospice while doing something in memory of our much loved wife, mum and grandmother.”
Alysia Cameron-Price, community fundraising manager for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “At Sue Ryder we believe that the end of someone’s life is the most important time of their life. Our care teams do all they can to make room for the things that matter to a patient – like spending time with loved ones, sharing stories, jokes and memories, and filling their final days with love.
“It’s truly fitting that our long term supporters and friends Kelvin, Debbie and family will be helping to raise vital funds so someone can experience as much comfort and joy as possible at the end of their life, while creating special memories for local families this Christmas too.”
Everyone is welcome to visit the display, which is on until January 1, where donations to the Gloucestershire hospice will be gratefully received.
For more information and to donate visit sueryder.org/careatchristmas
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