It started over 22 years ago with just a single string of fairy lights and a plastic snowman that had seen better days. We simply wanted to cheer up Christine Avenue; we certainly didn’t plan for our semi-detached home to eventually become Rushwick’s answer to the Blackpool Illuminations!

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People often ask why we support Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Honestly, when you are a pensioner climbing a ladder in freezing December winds to wrestle a giant inflatable Santa Airplane onto a garage roof, knowing there’s a helicopter ambulance on standby is a very reassuring thought!

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But in all seriousness, we chose them because their lifesaving work is vital to our region. We wanted every penny dropped in our buckets to help people right here in our community.

The journey has changed - from old-fashioned bulbs that blew constantly to the thousands of LEDs we have today. My knees might complain more now, and Norma watches my ladder work like a hawk, but seeing the smiles on the children’s faces makes every ache worth it. We provide the lights, but it’s public generosity that provides the magic.