Epic Christmas lights raise thousands for hospice

Scott Seare says people driving past honk their horns and yell "Merry Christmas"

Scott Seare crossed his fingers and hoped he would not cause a power cut as he switched on his Christmas lights.

The Leicester man could not help but recall a scene from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, when a home was filled with so many lights it caused a city-wide outage.

Fortunately for Mr Seare, the switch-on for his elaborate display, in aid of the LOROS hospice, went off without incident.

Last year's Christmas attraction raised £1,000 for the charity and in 2024 he is hoping to set a new record.

New additions this year include rainbow fencing, Santa in a tank, a "candy castle", and many others

“[This year] we were having people along the road shouting Merry Christmas and beeping their horns," he said.

"People passing by said it just looks absolutely amazing.”

Mr Seare has been fundraising for the hospice with his display for the last few years.

The lights were switched on on 1 December but Mr Seare said the preparations began before Halloween, back in late-September.

Mr Seare has said nobody is "forced" to donate, and they can just enjoy the lights

Mr Seare said he had used low-energy lightbulbs this year due to a rise in bills.

He added: “For about five hours, it’s about £6, maybe £7, so it’s not really a lot, but it’s on every day so the bills don’t go away."

Th attraction includes a number of festive lights on his house, an inflatable Santa and an inflatable Christmas tree.

Debbie Thrussel, fundraising co-ordinator at LOROS, said the organisation was "so grateful" because hospice finances were under pressure.

"The house looks beautiful and brings so much joy," she added.

"Things like this don't happen overnight, and take months of planning."

Mr Seare estimated around £9,000 had been raised while fundraising for the charity

Mr Seare says “absolutely anybody” is welcome to visit the lights - which will be on until 24 December, but he advised against standing on the grass because of the power cables.

“I don’t think football Santa with an England top would like an electricity explosion before Christmas,” he said.

Meanwhile, a closed session was also organised aimed at helping people with disabilities have a look around.