Every year a mum obsessed with Halloween casts an enchanting spell on her home and transforms it into a devilish lair. Katie Griffith decks out her home to raise money for a children's hospital and says she plans on doing it this year too, despite being impacted by negative experiences in the past.
The mum-of-two decorates the outside of her home - as well as the windows and front garden - with such flair that the attraction draws in crowds. Her idea started almost seven years ago but really took off in 2020 when the government imposed a 'firebreak lockdown' to curb covid cases and put a stop to trick or treating.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, she said: "We wanted to give the kids in the local area something to come and look at."
Katie buys things all year round in the run up to Halloween, picking it up in "bits and pieces" and getting things from Facebook Marketplace. Her two children Ella and Conner are "made up" with their Halloween house.
She said. "It's lovely to see the same kids coming back year after year. And they don't just come once, they come every couple of days."
There has been some negativity about the decorations including complaints and people trying to steal the donations box. Katie was "hesitant" on bringing the display back for 2022. She said: "I didn't want to do it again. It's hard when people say negative things about you."
However, neighbours were adamant: "They were constantly asking 'when are they going up'? It's a positive thing and the majority of the street love it."
People gather in front of the house "every night" from the middle of the month with Katie adding to the entertainment this year with themed characters dressing up.
The 31st is "chaos", with crowds bringing traffic to a standstill. Last year there were fire breathers, who were hired out of Katie's own pocket.
The display raised just short of £2,500 in donations in 2021, which went to Alder Hey children's hospital, a cause close to Katie's heart.
However, Katie is keen to let people know that cash isn't mandatory for visitors. She said: "We want to make sure that people know they don't have to donate, they can just come along and have a look. It's something to do and it's free.
"It's more just to keep the kids happy. And not even just the kids, adults too!"
