A WORLE resident is working again on his annual charity Christmas light display to raise funds for a children’s hospice.
John Burge’s fundraising displays started after a neighbour lost his son to leukaemia in 2011 to raise money for the Children’s Hospice South West which cared for their son.
This Christmas, John, who previously built a magical toy shop in his front garden, is working on a magical castle.
“This year I’m building a magical castle to raise even more money for the Children’s Hospice South West.
“I will incorporate the Christmas lights into this display to make it look very magical,” John said.
John’s love for Christmas lights started when he was a kid.
"I saved a whole year's pocket money when I was just eight years old to buy my first ever set of Christmas lights, which only had 20 bulbs,” he said.
"When I was growing up, I did a few light displays in my mum and dad’s back garden, but they could not be seen by the public only friends and family.
"Mum and dad always made my Christmases magical and special."
In 2011, John's efforts took on a whole new meaning, "Each year the display has got bigger."
His displays also won the Illumination Street awards, and in 2020 one of his works raised more than £3,000 for CHSW.
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