Meet the Leeds men bringing festive joy to their neighbours and raising money for good causes in the process
Leeds resident Nick Bond still gets as much unfettered joy decorating his house in the lead up to the Christmas as he did when he was a child.
Nick said that he would become full of wonder when he and his grandparents used to decorate the house and that he has kept the tradition going to this day.
He said: “We do it every year because I’ve been brought up with family putting them up.
“Since I’ve been able to do it myself it got a bit out of hand!”
He said that his neighbours on Birkdale Drive and around Alwoodley always love seeing the display of lights, reindeer, Santa’s, snowmen and penguins, adding: “It gets quite difficult putting them up because so many people want to come and talk about it.
“We are just waiting for the neighbours to join in.”
For the last five years Nick has been utilising the display as a way to raise funds and awareness for Martin House Hospice for Children and Young People, which is based in Boston Spa. To donate click here.
He said: “They are brilliant. It’s life-changing stuff what they do.”
Jeff Norman, 68, is also the talk of his neighbourhood around the festive season as he complements his home on The Drive in Alwoodley with hundreds of lights.
He explained that he started doing it with his daughter when she was growing up but now, as she has flown the nest, he continues to do it to bring cheer to the area.
He said: “It’s quite tacky but it’s a display that’s there for everyone to enjoy. It’s a bit of festive fun.
“Every year I say it’s going to be the last but then the neighbours will ask when the lights are going up and it starts over again.”
In recent years the family having been raising money for St Gemma’s hospice by urging visitors to donate. They have raised over £5,000 in total and have so far had £650 of donations this year.
He said: “We had an experience with family in there and they were absolutely brilliant so we are always supporting them where we can.
“It’s all about community support.”
Dom Hodgson also shared the details of his incredible display on Orchard Road in Cross Gates, where he raises money for Martin House. He said: “There are 60,000 lights synchronised to music. We’ve got interactive elements like selfie stations.
“We’ve raised over £60,000 for Martin House. Our goal is £100,000.
“It’s free so come on down!”