Telford family's stunning Christmas lights raise thousands for charity

Shaun Pickering and his partner Katie Stuart have made a name for themselves transforming their Dawley home in Telford into an illuminated festive wonderland.

This year the couple based the display on a Harry Potter theme.

The attraction was visited by hundreds of families, with donations requested for two charities close to the couple's hearts.

With the total counted up, the donations amounted to £1,500.

Thanks to Katie's employer, Wrekin Housing Group, the total has been match-funded, allowing the couple to hand over £3,000 - split between Ada's Foundation and Love from George.

Telford-based Love From George supports bereaved parents and families who have lost a baby.

Ada's Foundation provides empathetic and practical support to families affected by stillbirth, helping them navigate through the challenges of grief and loss.

The couple chose to support the charities after their own heartbreak, when tragically their baby Sky was born sleeping in September.

The tragedy left them questioning whether they could put on the annual display, but the couple decided to press ahead as a way of focusing on the future.

The donations from the event have now enabled them to provide much-needed financial support for the two charities.

Shaun said they were thrilled to be able to hand over the money.

He said: "It is an amazing amount and will massively help the two charities we have supported. They do wonderful work and we wanted to help them for what they do to help and support."

Shaun said they had been overwhelmed with the response to their Potter-themed display and there was the satisfaction of providing people with some valued Christmas cheer - as well as supporting a vital charity.

He said: "It is kind of a double thing, you are not only raising money for the charities and achieving that great thing and letting them keep doing what they are doing, but you are seeing the looks on people's faces.

"We have had people come in the daytime to look which we have never had before.

"It was wonderful to see the enjoyment - not just in the kids' faces but with the adults too - they've been getting just as excited about it."

Shaun said they were already planning this year's display - with ideas to expand the Potter-themed festivities.

He added that his brother and sister, Ryan and Louise, who have previously set up their own displays, could also be taking part again.

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