TOP CHRISTMAS CRESCENT FOR HOSPICE
AMAZING FESTIVE ILLUMINATIONS TRIPLE COUPLE’S FUNDRAISING TARGET
A GRIMSBY couple have more than tripled the amount they set out to raise for St Andrew’s Hospice with their spectacular display of Christmas lights.
Tracey and Martin Connolly had hoped to raise over £1,200 but thanks to the generosity of socially-distanced visitors they raised £4,250 - more than £3,000 than they raised last year.
There was a steady stream of visitors to their Grasby Crescent residence where neighbours also put up light displays. Martin, who is a yard manager at Truck Links on Pyewipe Estate, Grimsby, said he was grateful for the donation from his company which helped boost the total.
He has left the lights display on show throughout New Year as he has not had the time to take the lights down due to bad weather.
He said: “When I do get round to it I will be planning for next Christmas. “I usually start preparing them from October. “It is unbelievable how much people have given. They really enjoyed driving past or dropping in. Everyone has played their part and we are grateful to them all.” Tracey said: “We were absolutely amazed at the amount people donated. There was £350 in one day and usually around £40 to £50 that people left in the collection box. “But it is the look on the children’s’ faces and some of the adults that makes it worthwhile.”
Debbie Bright managing director of Truck Links said: “We support St Andrew’s Hospice anyway but thought we would donate to Martin’s appeal. It is a measure of how people have come together at this difficult time.”
St Andrew’s Hospice events and fundraising co-ordinator, John Stobart said: “It is an amazing donation. Considering it was £1,250 last year, this is £3,000 more, which is phenomenal.
“In a normal year we would be organising events. But we have not been able to do that this year so we are unbelievably more reliant on the support from the community and people like Tracey and Martin. “I cannot praise them enough and want to say how grateful we are to them.”
It is unbelievable how much people have given. Everyone has played their part and we are grateful to them all
Martin Connolly