Kirklees community spreading Christmas cheer through light shows amid restrictions

Leading the charge is Kirkwood Hospice with its project Festive Light Trail, an annual initiative involving the Kirklees community to support one another through creating an impressive light trail to bring joy to those young and old as they travel through the district spotting all the spectacular Christmas lights.

Traditionally the festive light display has been hosted by one longstanding Kirkwood supporter, Derek Highe from Mirfield, who for the past 18 years has lit up his house with thousands of lights and raised over £50,000 for the charity.

Mr Highe said: “As my lights have evolved, I always hoped something like this would happen eventually, and now is the time.

"So many people have made an amazing effort so I hope the trail will return each Christmas.

"Donations are doing better than ever this year, so the collaboration has really paid off by not only creating a joyful event, but it’s going to benefit The Kirkwood in the long run.”

Mr Highe's amazing fundraising feat is the reason why this year, for the first time ever, the event has been expanded into a large scale trail format with a total of 146 houses lighting up their homes and gardens to raise essential funds for The Kirkwood.

Throughout December, the community are invited to walk or drive along the Festive Light Trails to see all the wonderful displays illuminating the streets of Kirklees.

The trails will take place until December 24 across Mirfield, Honley and Almondbury, Lepton & Fenay Bridge.

By supporting The Kirkwood this festive period, those who choose to donate will be helping the charity’s amazing nurses to continue caring for the most vulnerable in our community this winter.

Julia Owen, community fundraiser at The Kirkwood, said: “Due to the pandemic people have been really keen to do something festive that the whole community can get involved with in their family bubble, all while supporting The Kirkwood.

“It’s fantastic to see the efforts people have gone to, not only to spread some much needed Christmas cheer, but also to support a local charity.

"Thank you to everyone who has decked up their home to support this appeal, the response has been truly overwhelming.

"There have even been reports of people not being able to get hold of Christmas lights in the local area.”

Do not forget to take a photo of your favourite displays and share them on social media using the hashtag #TheKirkwoodFLT to help spread the word.

There is a dedicated trail for each area so families can discover, for themselves, the beautiful Christmas displays in their neighbourhood. To download the trail map and donate £5 to The Kirkwood to help support life in Kirklees, use the following numbers:

Mirfield: TWINKLE 5 to 70085

Honley: FROSTY 5 to 70085

Fixby & Cowcliffe: STAR 5 to 70460

Almondbury, Lepton & Fenay Bridge: SPARKLE 5 to 70470.