Telford family raise thousands for charity through Christmas lights display and switch-on
A Telford couple have brought festive cheer to the region and raised thousands for charity through their Christmas lights display.
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The Stanton family from St George's have once again decorated their house with Christmas lights and hosted a big switch-on event last Monday with live music, food and drink, a raffle, a firework display, and a visit from Santa.
All proceeds from the event that attracts crowds of more than 100 people each year go towards the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, and more than £2,000 has already been raised from this year's display and switch-on.
John and Wendy Stanton's house on Freeston Avenue has been a must-see attraction for residents for more than 12 years, and the couple have raised more than £14,000 for the charity in total.
After adverse weather conditions from Storm Darragh postponed their original switch-on scheduled for Friday, December 6, John and Wendy were delighted to welcome residents this week where one lucky visitor took home a TV as first prize in the raffle.
Residents and visitors will have noticed new additions to this year's display including a large 'Merry Christmas' light across the house and new Christmas trees.
The Stanton family are welcoming Shropshire residents to go along and take a look at their display that frequently draws praise. Residents can visit their house and make donations until January 1.
"I enjoy doing it, it is one of those things I really enjoy," said John.
"A lot of people are under the impression that it costs a lot of money, but now days all modern lights are LEDs and low voltage. It probably does double my electric bill over the period but that is about it. So, it's not mega.
"I am a biker and I know a few people who were lifted by the Air Ambulance a few years ago and I feel that the charity does a good job, and we always need them at some point, you never know when."
John thanked his family Melissa and Martin for their help putting on the switch-on event and with organising their charity raffles.
Another raffle is running until Christmas Eve where residents have a chance to win a laptop worth £450 that has been donated by Midland Computers.
John said: "I will draw the winner on Christmas Eve and deliver the laptop to the winner wherever they live, as long as it isn't in Australia."
