A South Cheshire student’s Christmas lights show helped raise more than £10,000 in memory of his sister who died on New Year’s Eve.
Graham Witter, 21, set up hundreds of Christmas lights where he lives at Carters Green Cottage in Weston to raise money for the hospice which cared for his late sister Jessica.
Graham, a Business Management student at Manchester Metropolitan University in Crewe, covered farm buildings, a garden and an adjacent yard with lights.
It contained rope lights, LED lights, animated 3D figures, 3D inflatables, along with background Christmas music.
There was also a small wooden Santa’s Grotto and a life-size Santa’s sleigh.
Santa even made an appearance every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the last few days before Christmas. It took Graham six weeks to set up.
He raised £1,000 in 2013, £5,720 in 2014 and an incredible £10,280 in 2015 – a total of £17,000 over in three years.
The money will again go to The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice, who provided respite care for Jessica, who died on New Year’s Eve.
Nikki Wrench, of The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice, said: “We are really proud to work with Graham and the Witter family and their Christmas light display.
“2015 was particularly poignant as Jessica passed away on New Year’s Eve. All the money raised from the display will be in her memory.”
Graham said: “I would like to thank all the local community, support from many local businesses and to everybody who has helped me to fundraise this amazing sum of money.
“This charity means an awful lot to me as they have supported our family for several years, and have been a lifeline for care and family help in many difficult circumstances.
“My sister, who had multiple disabilities and needed 24 hour care, peacefully passed away in December, and I am dedicating the 2015 light display in her memory and this money is being used to purchase equipment to help many local children.
“I will continue to fundraise for this amazing charity, as I believe after using the much loved services they offer that this money is being put to good use and I am helping them to keep the doors open.
“It would be great to see you all coming back this year for what will be another fantastic light display, and I hope you will tell all your family and friends too! I’d like to wish everybody a happy and healthy year!”
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