Towering total is raised by light show
A SPECTACULAR festive light show in Southport has raised over £2,000 for a local animal charity.
The legendary Sidney Road Lights – computerised Christmas lights synchronised to music – this year featured a stunning 3.5 metre high model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, with a total of 30,000 lights on display.
The attraction is a firm favourite in the calendar of Southport residents since it started five years ago.
The event has grown in popularity and there are now Halloween and Easter displays, as well as one-off events to mark special occasions.
The display is built and run entirely by one family, Steve and Janice Henshall and their son, Tim, who works at Fletchers.
The event raises money for Freshfields Animal Rescue and has just raised £2.060 for the charity.
This year’s event was sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors in Southport. Alex Kenny, executive director of strategy and development, pressed the button to light up the display for the festive season on Saturday, December 11.
Steve Henshall said: “What can I say ... you did it! Thanks to everyone’s generosity we collected £2,060 over Halloween and Christmas light shows smashing our target for Freshfields Animal Rescue.
“Big thanks go to Ed and Len of Southport Funeral Care for kindly sponsoring our Halloween shows and to Fletchers Solicitors for the Christmas shows. Without the generosity of our sponsors none of this would have been possible.
“Making a big contribution too were Southport Costume Crew who performed at both events to the delight of the crowd who were persuaded to join in at our Lighting Up Party.
“Sandgrounder Radio did a superb job of hosting our Lighting Up Party on December 11th when the lights were turned on by Alex Kenny of Fletchers.
“We were delighted to welcome again Starkidz Christmas Elves who are so professional and yet naughty at the same time, the party just wouldn’t be the same without the elves, please get them booked if you’re planning a children’s party.
“Our friends at Chocolate Whirled did us proud by handing out 120 delicious artisan chocolate lollies for you to try, not to mention donating a gift voucher for their cafe which was won by Alfie.
“Finally a big vote of thanks must go to all our tireless helpers who handed out 400 hot dogs, 400 Santa hats, made up 11kg of galaxy hot chocolate powder into umpteen drinks, not to mention 53 large tubs of
Quality Street!”
Freshfields Animal rescue fundraiser Debs Hughes said: “I want to say on behalf of Freshfields that we are all incredibly thankful to have friends like Steve, Jan and Tim and how every year you help us to care for hundreds of abused, abandoned and homeless animals by keeping them warm, fed and healthy, until we can find them the loving homes they so deserve.”