A house in Fishponds adorned with Christmas lights and Santa inflatables is not only a spectacle for the public to enjoy but also a way of raising money for charity. Rich Challenger and his partner Jordan Evans started to display Christmas lights outside their house last year.
Mr Challenger was inspired by other festive houses around the city and felt that where he lives in Fishponds was rather dull and thought it would be nice to spread some Christmas joy. This year, the display in Gill Avenue is even bigger and with the support of their neighbours who live in the ground floor flat, they have been able to split the electricity cost.
This year's display will also help to raise money for a cause close to Mr Challenger's heart, Young Epilepsy. His younger brother sadly passed away from epilepsy and he also has several family members with the condition.
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Mr Challenger said: "We started off last year with a few lights and then this year we decided to get a lot more to bring a bit of light into our area. Every area has lights and the high streets have got lights but Fishponds has got nothing.
"My youngest brother had epilepsy really bad and he passed away about a year and a half ago. He only made it to 21 so I thought I’d make it this year for charity, [to encourage] people to donate to Young Epilepsy.
"My other brother has epilepsy as well as we’ve got a few family members and friends with it so I just thought it would be a good cause.
"I thought it would be good for the kids around the area and my nieces and nephews. My neighbours, me and my partner have gone halves on it all so it only costs us £2 a night because they are all LED and low cost lights.
"What got me into it was the really good Brailsford display in Brentry which raised over £91,000. I go there every year and I thought I could do it. So far we’re on £125 and we’ve only been doing it for a couple of days.
"Hopefully we can continue doing this and keep adding to it for years to come," he added. Mr Challenger who lives in the first floor flat with his girlfriend and their two dogs, added that he is very grateful for the family underneath who have contributed to the display.
The 'Oldbury court Christmas Lights Display' which has its own Facebook page can be found on Gill Avenue, BS16 2QQ. Donations to charity can be made by scanning the QR code online or via the banner outside the house or through the JustGiving page.
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