Half a million Christmas lights are family's tribute to son

The lights will be lit daily until 5 January

A family have decorated their house with half a million Christmas lights as a special tribute to their son and to raise cash for charity.

The Clark family's Christmas light display in Colonel's Lane in Boughton-Under-Blean started with lights around their front door to commemorate the birthday of their son Jack, who was born four weeks early and critically ill in 2002.

The display has grown and now attracts thousands of visitors every year, according to East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Jack's mother, Michelle, said: "These lights are Jack's birthday cake, and I hope that he can see them wherever he is now."

The family has again chosen to raise money for the East Kent Hospitals Charity.

The cash will help support the neonatal intensive care unit at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the special care baby unit at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

Ms Clark said: "Our lights are a symbol of love and loss that stretches from our home to every tiny fighter and their families.

"We hope people will take a moment to remember all the babies no longer with us, and help support the babies and families who need it most."

The display in 2024 helped raise £12,500 for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust

The family has already raised more than £1,250 for the campaign with their lights.

Ross Clark, Jack's dad, said the family loved seeing "children's faces lighting up with happiness" when they saw the lights.

"This is all for Jack, to celebrate his birthday and to make sure his memory shines on," he added.

In 2024, the family introduced a memory tree at the front of the display, where people can leave messages for those they had lost.

The display will be lit daily between 08:00 GMT and 23:30 until 5 January.