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Crane Operator Sean North has made a tradition out of creating a Christmas light display at his home, with profits donated to charities that support children.
Setting the scene with almost 60 sets of fairy lights, two 6ft nutcrackers, a special snowman photo stand-in, and a giant sleigh all crafted by Sean himself, the switch on took place on Sunday, 28th November, in Keelby.
The lights, as featured on ITV’s This Morning, are usually prepped more than a month before Christmas, providing plenty of time to be enjoyed and admired by the local community.
Sean and his wife, Jackie, had always taken Christmas as an opportunity to get the decorations out, but following a festive trip to Disneyland in America with their four children pre-pandemic, they were inspired to crank it up a notch.
As they set out to stun their local community with a Christmas display that illuminated the street, it was brought to their attention that visitors were keen to donate money, and the tradition developed from there.
For the second year running, they will be donating proceeds to charity through their love of lights and festive raffles, in which prizes and hampers have been donated by an array of local businesses and even the local Morrisons and Co-op.
Last year’s display saw a total of 15,000 lights installed, with proceeds going to Cash for Kids. This year’s donations will go to When You Wish Upon A Star, a charity that grants the wishes of children living with life-threatening illnesses.
Children were invited to take photos on Santa’s sleigh, as well as the illuminated tunnel Sean created from components of a greenhouse, and, of course, lots of fairy lights! Hot chocolate mulled wine and mince pies were also available.
Sean and Jackie even had a festive transformation themselves, welcoming visitors in full Santa and Mrs. Clause costumes.
Sean, Crane Operator Ainscough Crane Hire’s Immingham Depot, said: “It’s been incredible to see the journey of our Christmas lights display, from something we initially wanted to do to put a smile on peoples faces during an uncertain time, into something we can channel into charity donations.
“It’s a lot of work and it’s worth every minute to see the joy it brings people locally and also through the When You Wish Upon A Star organisation. Spreading the Christmas cheer is just a bonus.”
The North’s have raised £1,023 so far and continue to take donations of their JustGiving fundraiser, to make a donation please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jackie-north1
