Cars wrapped in 15,000 fairy lights brought a "piece of Christmas" to sick kids staying in hospital over the festive season.
James Upjohn, 39, from Skelmersdale, and his co-founder Dave Beeston, came up with the idea of 'Christmas cars' after James saw a video on social media in 2019. During the pandemic he figured out how to attach 4,000 fairy lights to his car and decided to go around every estate in Skelmersdale to spread some Christmas cheer during what he described as a "really tough time".
From there Christmas Cars has grown increasingly popular, with two more vehicles being added to the convoy, one being driven by Lee Reece. This year's effort is in conjunction with Upholland and Tawd Vale Lions, who provided the mobile Santa grotto in the back of a panel van, and The 55th Ormskirk Scouts based in Skelmersdale.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman pleads not guilty to murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel
James told the ECHO : "It's been brilliant, we have had thousands of kids come to see us over the last eight nights. Just this week we had 300 kids waiting for us at the mobile Santa grotto.
"It really hit home when I was chatting to one family who said it was the first time their children were seeing Santa as they couldn't ever afford it otherwise."
The team used Gorilla tape to attach the fairy lights to their cars, with James saying it takes around four and a half hours per vehicle. As part of this year's effort, the four Christmas cars visited children's A&E at Ormskirk District General Hospital on Wednesday, December 21.
The cars arrived outside the hospital at around 7pm and children who were well enough were able to come and see the cars and meet Father Christmas.
James said: "There's 19 kids admitted to the children's ward at the moment so we turned up with the Christmas Cars and Santa to give them a wave and a honk of the cars. We also be donated 19 selection boxes for the kids and 19 books.
"They must feel like they're missing out on so much being in Hospital at Christmas, so anything we can do to bring them a piece of Christmas, we will."
Nicola Slilem, Children’s Ward Interim Matron at Ormskirk Hospital, said: "We are always really appreciative of anyone who looks to help our children while they are in hospital and we are really grateful to the Upholland and Tawd Vale Lions and the 55 th Ormskirk Scouts for their wonderful support."
Each year the Christmas cars raise money, with all donations from this year's effort being put towards The 55th Ormskirk Scouts in Skelmersdale to make sure their two mini buses remain on the roads for the next six months.
READ NEXT
Dad told wife 'it's nothing to do with you girl' during drug arrest
M6 drivers caught using phone trick to avoid cameras
Murdered Ashley Dale's family 'living a nightmare' ahead of unbearable Christmas
Paramedics and ambulance staff strike in Liverpool latest as workers join picket lines
