AN AUDENSHAW family is doing its bit to spread Christmas cheer by lighting up its home and staging its own song event.
The Ryans, who live on Woodhouses Avenue on the Kings Grange development, are putting a smile on the faces of neighbours and the local community with their display.
Homeowner Kim is decking out her house with stunning Christmas boarding to resemble Santa’s workshop with rows of presents, and a life size St Nicholas.
The magical scene will be using LED floodlights to illuminate the winter wonderland – and circumstances around the rising cost of electricity has been taken into account.
And even though the dressing is not meant to be completed until Monday (December 5), it is already having the desired effect.
Kim, 35, said: “The house is being designed with less lighting and more magic.
“With Covid-19 we’ve not had the opportunity to plan much, so this Christmas we really wanted to do something special and raise money for charity.”
That charity is Francis House Children’s Hospice – a charity close to the family’s hearts.
Kim wanted to give something back after it supported her family when son Cameron was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged two. He died four years later in 2010.
“Both myself and Cameron were supported the whole time by Francis House,” she added.
“The hospice is filled with amazing people who loved Cameron just as much as I did. He smiled every moment he spent there.
“Cameron has been gone for 12 years now but I’ve never lost that family connection with the hospice. My daughter Hattie looks forward to visiting every year on Memory Day.”
Dressing the house and providing the props and materials are Kim’s friends and professional event dressers, Manchester-based Walter and the Boy.
Graphic designer On trend with James is also donating his time and expertise in creating the magic and Kim is planning a magical Christmas song event at 6pm on Saturday, December 10.
Seven-year-old Hattie, together with friends from Footlights Failsworth, will be performing Christmas songs, singing carols and collecting for the charity.
Based in Didsbury, Francis House cares for more than 550 families of children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
Opened in 1991 by Diana, Princess of Wales, it relies on charitable donations to fund the majority of its £12,900 daily running costs.
To find out more about Francis House visit www.francishouse.org.uk