By Hinckley Times | Posted 28 November 2014
A couple are holding their own Christmas lights switch-on event in order to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.
Neil and Sarah Greenwell, who live at 29 Coldstream Close in Hinckley are welcoming people to join them for their festive event this Sunday (30th November) at 6pm.
The couple are holding the event to raise money for LOROS - a charity who helped Neil’s aunt Christine Malen before she died in May 2013.
They have spent around £1,000 of their own money on lights and electrics to transform their house into a light spectacular and will be funding the whole thing - including the electricity to power the lights - themselves.
Neil, 30, who works as a HGV driver for DHL, said: “When I said to Sarah I wanted to do it she thought I was mad but then she got on board.
“The lights will be switched on at 6pm sharp and hopefully there will be a bit of a crowd to play a few Christmas Songs too beforehand.
“I have done charity work in the past but I really wanted to give something back to LOROS.
“They really do make people as happy as they can in the last few months of their lives.
“Christmas was Aunt Chrissy’s favourite time of the year so we wanted to do something to remember her and raise money for LOROS, because without donations they wouldn’t be able to do what they do.
“Everyone is invited to come along - the house will be covered in lights - it’s taken us two weeks to put them all up.”
Throughout the event mince pies and mulled wine will be given out, music will be playing and Santa Claus will be popping in to give sweets to children and holding a countdown to the grand switch-on.
The lights will be turned on every day from 4.30pm to midnight until January 2 when they will be taken down until next year.
Neil added: “We have already said we want to make this an annual event - Sarah has already decided she wants to do it for the Rainbows Children’s Hospice next year.
“If people miss the switch-on they can always come and have a look at them another day.
“It’s taken us by surprise that so many people want to see them - it shows people still care. I’m hoping we can raise more than £500 for the charity.”
