Christmas has come early to a street in Derby with one resident creating a spectacular festive lights display to raise money for his children’s local primary school.
Trevor Wright has adorned his front garden and house in Barrett Street, off Harvey Road in Alvaston, with up to 35 different decorations made up of thousands of LED lights – including an illuminated UFO.
Money raised from donations will go towards work funded by the Parent Teachers and Friends Association at St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy in Alvaston.
Mr Wright is an active member of the PTFA and although he has been putting up elaborate Christmas lights at his home for over 10 years now, this is the first time that he has decided to use them to raise money.
He said: “This is the first time we’ve started to collect donations. As I’m part of the PTFA I spoke to them and Mr Lobb, who is the Headteacher at St John Fisher, and asked if they would allow us to collect for the school. The PTFA supports lots of projects at the school. We’ve got plans for a sandpit on the field and Mr Lobb would like a large shed for storage. We also part fund things like the hoodies for Year 6 leavers and we help out with discos, the Year 6 leavers’ event and a tuck shop.
“I started putting up the Christmas lights about 10 to 12 years ago and since then the display has got bigger every year. I have three children, aged eight, seven and one and they love the lights. My neighbours love them too, everyone gets involved. We get people asking us in October when the lights are going to go up and the reaction is always amazing. I was buying lights for this year’s display before Christmas last year. I’ve not even started on the decorations inside yet, I decorate every room, even the bathroom.
“I don’t think I have a favourite decoration but this year we do have an inflatable UFO. I don’t know if I love Christmas but I love the reaction that we get to the lights.”
Mr Wright, pictured bottom right, is planning a special event on December 6th from 4.30pm until 6.30pm when free hot chocolate will be available for visitors to the lights display.
Graham Lobb, Headteacher at St John Fisher, said: “We are really lucky to have an active and supportive PTFA. The lights that Mr Wright and his family share on their house are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit early. The fact they are using this to support the school is fabulous and we are very grateful.”
