Festive neighbours are raising money for charity by window dressing their homes in an advent countdown to Christmas.
Each day of December, one household on Ladysmith Road, Kimberley Road, Folly Avenue and Cannon Street have been revealing their carol themed window displays to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Keech Hospice.
Organiser Abby Orchard set up St Albans’ Living Advent after her eight-year-old daughter Bessie Davis was diagnosed with a condition which causes tumours to grow along her nerves - neurofibromatosis (NF1).
She is currently undergoing chemotherapy but is doing “amazingly well”.
Bessie and her family have spent a lot of time at GOSH, and have also been supported by Keech Hospice.
Abby said: “This is important for two reasons, one is that the community spirit of Christmas is really rice in a city like St Albans and there’s a great deal of it at any age.
“The second is to raise money for great causes and obviously GOSH is a cause close to our hearts - the last two years we have spent a lot of time at GOSH and Keech is a local charity which have been incredibly supportive.”
This is the third year the calendar has run after Abby was inspired by a group of residents in Saltaire, Bradford, who started the trend in 2006.
The team have currently collected about £400 but are hoping to top last year’s total of £1,600. Over two years the initiative has racked up about £3,000.
Bessie’s family revealed their display of The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York on December 3, which was created using card skyline and fairy lights.
Other houses have opted for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and I Saw Three Ships.
On December 19 the neighbours are hosting a walkabout to appreciate all the windows so far, complete with mince pies and mulled wine.
Money donated to GOSH goes towards building hospitals, supporting treatment research, funding up-to-date equipment, and providing support services for children and their families.
To donate click here or to find out more click here.
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