Family’s festive lightshow in aid of kids’ hospice a beacon for visitors
A BELFAST family have transformed their house into a winter wonderland in aid of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, with people coming from far and wide to see the display.
Stephen Irvine (42) and his parents Harry (65) and Phylis (62) decorate their Crumlin Road home every year.
However, with normal festive celebrations being disrupted by the pandemic, they decided to go bigger and better in 2020.
“This year there has been so much negativity and with so many people losing loved ones. We just wanted to do more to brighten up the holiday,” said Stephen.
“The joy you see on the kids’ and their parents’ faces when they come up is incredible. There were kids here last night who didn’t want to go home because they loved it that much.
“It has to get bigger every year anyway just naturally, and this year we had to replace the lights on the roof. The last number of years we always do something for the Children’s Hospice and fundraise for them.”
Fitness manager Stephen explained it was his contact with those affected by cancer that motivated his desire to try and help others who may be going through serious illness.
While donation buckets would normally be placed outside for visitors, because of the ongoing Covid crisis Stephen has instead been encouraging people to donate online.
It seems to have worked, as he said money had been coming in from near and far since the big switch-on at the start of the month.
“Some might be sitting down to their Christmas dinner this year with empty seats at the table. I always think if you can help one person it is worth it,” he added.
“People come from beyond Belfast to see the lights. There was one person who came from Ballymoney.
“He had lost his wife to cancer and gave a £20 donation the other day. The response has been incredible.”