WHAT A DISPLAY!
Graham has raised £65k in his sister’s memory – and this year’s display is bigger than ever
CARING Graham Witter has put up thousands of Christmas lights - to raise funds for the hospice which supported his sister.
And the 24-year-old’s display has raised more than £65,000 for The Donna Louise since the idea became a reality.
Weston Christmas Light Display, at Carters Green Farm near Crewe, boasts a tree with more than 1,200 lights with thousands more making up the overall display.
Graham first started the display in 2013 – two years before his sister, Jessica, passed away aged 18.
He said: “I start putting the lights up in the second week of September and I’ve lost count how many there are now. There’s hundreds and thousands all around the place because it gets bigger every year. I always put a few more lights up and make it look a bit different and that makes it a bit nicer for the visitors.”
This year’s display saw around 500 turn up for the grand switch-on. Graham started the display because Jessica had cutaneous syndrome and severe epilepsy - but had a love of light displays.
He wanted to raise money for the Trentham Lakes-based hospice because it supported Jessica and the rest of the family.
Graham added: “I first put the lights up in 2013 and a family friend said I should open it up. I think a lot of people get behind us now because it helps Jessica’s memory live on.”
Entry into the popular attraction is free but a donation is collected for the charity. Around 40 volunteers help man the car park and refreshment stall.
Visitors say they enjoy coming to the display.
Dwayne Taylor, from Crewe, said: “This is the first time I have been and the children loved it. It’s all for a good cause and we came because friends and family had been and seen it.”
Michelle Tweedley, also from Crewe, added: “The lights are brilliant. This is the third year we have been and the atmosphere is always friendly. It gets bigger and better every year.”
The light display is open every night between 6.15pm and 9pm until December 28. Santa will be on site every day in the week before Christmas. For more information search ‘Weston Christmas Light Display’ on Facebook.