‘We love seeing smiles when people look at our lights’ – customers turn home into Christmas light show to raise money for hospice

The hospice looked after Dora’s sister, Eve, who lost her battle with cancer aged 44 and Dora said the fundraising is a way of repaying them for the work they did.

The lights, which take seven days to put up, include several decorations such as a full size sleigh people can sit in, a light tunnel path to the front door, snow machines, a singing and dancing Santa, projectors showing different scenes such as elves working, and a Santa going up and down a ladder.

Dora said: “People come back to see our lights every year which is lovely. They enjoy bringing their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, families and even dogs.

“We love seeing the smiles on people’s faces whether it’s people we know or complete strangers.

“This year it took seven days to get everything ready for our official turn on, with help from the family too.”

Dora and Mark also run a raffle alongside the light display and people have been donating items for this since August. Since 2021 they have raised just under £10,000 for St Michael’s Hospice and are aiming to raise £3,000 this year.

Dora said: “Every pound helps so we set out to raise as much as we can, whether that’s £100 or £3,000.

“We chose to raise for St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford as they took care of my beautiful sister in 2019/20 until she sadly lost her battle aged just 44.

The Christmas lights are on display throughout the festive season at Elm Road and you can donate to the charity by putting money in the donation pot outside Dora and Mark’s house or by visiting Just Giving here.