IT’S FODDER CHRISTMAS!
FESTIVE FUN MADE OF HAY BALES AND ILLUMINATED BY 4,500 LIGHTS
THERE’S stacks of Christmas cheer to be had in one village, with a fundraising creation lighting up the night sky.
The seasonal showstopper, made entirely out of bales of hay, is the brainchild of Emma-Leigh Vickers and her partner Tom Moore, who decided to do their bit to raise some Christmas cheer while also raising money for a charity close to their hearts.
The work, showing Santa on his sleigh with his reindeers, stands proudly on the grounds of Little Stacks Day Nursery, in Kibworth.
At night, 4,500 lights create a sparkling display for all passing the nursery, at White Stacks Farm.
The inspiration and purpose is tinged by tragedy for the couple.
“We had a friend who sadly lost his life in a farming incident and the air ambulance service was called,” said Emma-Leigh.
“Because of where we are, in a rural setting, the air ambulance is often the first chance of response you can get in a tragedy like that.
“We lost our friend but we’ve wanted to give our thanks to the air ambulance ever since.”
Santa and the reindeer are crafted from donated bales of animal feed from neighbouring farms, while the display’s accompanying 20ft Christmas tree was supplied by Grange Farm Christmas Barn.
The sculpture is the fourth such design Emma-Leigh and Tom have undertaken, although it has been two years since the last one, with Covid seeing last year’s celebration cancelled.
“Children were a little upset we
We wanted to make Christmas that bit more festive and raise money for a charity close to our hearts Emma-Leigh
didn’t do one last year so we were more determined to do one that was bigger and better this time round,” said Emma-Leigh.
“As we still are in strange times right now, we wanted to do something to make Christmas time that bit more festive and raise money for a charity that is close to our hearts.”
Emma-Leigh and Tom have no target in mind, but just want to raise as much as possible for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance.
“It’s our way of giving back to them. You can’t underestimate how important they are,” said Emma Leigh.
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