ONE of south Essex’s most festive homes is set to host its popular switch-on event this weekend in a bid to raise money for charity.
Martin Pyke, 64, and his wife, Allison, have once again covered their Westcliff home in thousands of Christmas lights and decorations to raise money for Southend Macmillan as well as entertaining neighbours and passers-by.
The couple have been raising money for the charity after Allison was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2022.
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She had been receiving treatment at Southend Hospital but, thankfully, she is now in remission after completing her treatment last month.
To celebrate, the couple have gone even bigger for Christmas with over a dozen different motorised displays and more, at their home in Westbourne Grove.
Allison said: “I am in remission and am as good as I can be. We are still raising money for Macmillan as their support has been amazing.
“We have four new attractions added this year, that Martin has made. There is an Elf photo board, a toy factory display, as well as projector screen showing Santa and his elves in their workshop.
“It is such a joy to see the pure innocence of children appreciating just something so straight forward.
“They can operate everything themselves with a press of a button, and it is so lovely to see everyone enjoy it.
“It is a really magical time.”
The display has a number of motorised decorations including a flying Santa, a penguin ski lodge, an elf railway, and a Christmas Ferris wheel.
The switch-on event will be held on Saturday, November 30, at 5pm.
Thereafter, families can continue to visit and operate the lights between 5pm to 8pm every night up until December 28 – unless there is torrential rain.
Allison added: “We have been very lucky as each year we have increased what we have raised.
“But we know financial times are hard, so for us, just to see people come along and enjoy it, and then make any donation they can, is amazing.
“The idea is just to give back to the children and their families at a special time of the year.”
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