Christmas lights switch on for St Ann’s
Supporters Kevin and Carla Buckley, are spreading Christmas cheer by hosting a Christmas lights switch on for St Ann's!
It is going to be a sparkling Christmas for friends and neighbours of the Buckley household who have decorated the outside of their semi-detached home on Darley Avenue in Chorlton with a dazzling show of festive lights.
Kevin and Carla Buckley even play Christmas music for an hour when they switch on their three-hour illuminated display at 6 pm each evening.
The kind-hearted couple wanted to lift spirits after the recent death of a neighbour who was a patient at our Heald Green hospice.
Kevin, an assistant manager at McDonald’s in Stockport, is already well on the way to raising £500 for the charity via Facebook and a collection box by his front gate.
He said:
We wanted to cheer up the street after losing one of neighbours who was looked after by St Ann's. The lights are a nod to him really. We've had Christmas decorations before, but this time it's massive by comparison and it's the first time we've raised money for charity. I love Christmas and would celebrate it from January the 1st. Christmas is a time of year when everyone's a bit nicer. Hopefully, the lights put a smile on people's faces and that's something we all need during these times. The neighbours love the lights and we've also had many nice comments and donations from passers-by. It took a week to put them up and the decorations are mostly mine, though I did have some donated by Altin Homes. Kevin Buckley, Supporter
Daughter Amelia-Grace’s favourite item is a sleigh and reindeer made by her granddad Michael, a woodwork enthusiast.
Kevin spent last Christmas feeding the homeless after cycling 300 miles across Madagascar in 2019 in aid of the Ronald McDonald charity.
Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, said:
Wow, what an amazing festive display, and such a kind and thoughtful way of raising money for our patients in honour of Kevin and Carla’s neighbour. We really appreciate their support and thank everyone who has made a donation. After such a difficult year for everyone, it’s so humbling to see the fantastic support our hospice has received from people in our local communities. We really couldn’t carry on caring for our patients without you, so thank you so, so much. Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive
To donate to Kevin’s St Ann’s fundraising visit their Facebook fundraiser here.