Ernie lights up Christmas in memory of his partner
FESTIVE DISPLAY WILL HELP CHARITY AND HOSPITAL
ARNOLD grandad Ernie Ley has been putting on spectacular Christmas displays at his house for nearly two decades – and he has revealed the touching story behind the festivities.
The 80-year-old said he’d been decorating his home for 18 years and that he decided to start raising money for charity 13 years ago.
He has been a keen supporter of the neonatal facilities at the city’s two hospitals, because his grandchildren spent time on a ward at Nottingham City Hospital, and is also now supporting Cancer Research UK.
His long-term partner Sheila Owen, who he lived with for 29 years, died in May last year, at the age of 74, so he decided to fundraise for the charity that Christmas.
Mr Ley, a retired electrician who also used to work in pits across the county, said: “She got cancer to the left breast, under her left arm and in her lung. She was very down to earth. If she didn’t like you she’d tell you.
“She was generous as well – we did all right together, 29 years.”
Mr Ley, who himself was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach, underwent an important operation last year.
He said: “On December 11 last year I was taken into hospital and had half my stomach removed. It went perfectly all right.”
After a recent scan, he said: “They found some liquid on the right-hand side near my stomach.
“They took samples and first they couldn’t find anything.
“They had me back in on Monday, the first time for a long time – normally they just ring me up and ask how I am – and they had another check and they’d found something that might be associated with cancer in that liquid. I’m waiting to hear from them again about that now.”
Mr Ley, of Coppice Road, has been described as being “crazy about Christmas”.
His family have helped to put up this year’s display and Christmas lights will be turned on at 4pm today.
Kirsty Simpson, a 26-year-old care worker, paid tribute to her nan, Ms Owen, and spoke about the spectacular annual display.
Miss Simpson said: “It’s just absolutely brilliant – the whole street lights up, you can’t miss the house.
“We’ve added a few new bits and bobs. Ernie is crazy about Christmas – he’s had a shed-full [of decorations].
“Me and my partner, Chris, have dug them all out and spread them around. “
Miss Simpson, who lives with Mr Ley and her partner, added: “We’ve got two dancing, singing Santas – we’ve got all sorts.
“We’ve got a little Christmas tree down where the car is, we’ve got a manger, we’ve got a Santa and his Rudolph and his sleigh, we’ve got another Christmas tree and we’ve got a North Pole sign.”
Last year, Mr Ley raised £500 each for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Cancer Research.
The family hope to raise the same again this year.
People can make donations at the house in-person or specifically to Cancer Research via a Facebook fundraising page that has been set up.
Mr Ley said: “I’ve got an imitation well on the front with a stainless container underneath the well – they put the money down there.
“But Kirsty’s put it in on Facebook and people have been using the phone and donating to Cancer Research.
“The last I heard around £340 had gone in.”
The cash donated in person will be split between the two charities.
Mr Ley has raised more than £3,500 for the neonatal facilities over the years.
Lucy Dalgress, community fundraising manager at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so touched that Mr Ley is continuing to raise money for the neonatal unit, where his grandchildren were treated as babies. His Christmas lights will no doubt bring joy to the local community after a difficult year, and the money he continues to raise will make a real difference to babies and families on our units.”