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Family’s Fundraising Christmas Lights Switched On!

02 December 2022

Christmas has arrived in Purdis Farm after the Stout family’s fundraising Christmas lights were switched on.

Raising funds for St Elizabeth Hospice, Julie and Neil Stout’s Christmas lights at their Purdis Farm home, near Ipswich, launched on Thursday 1st December in style.

A number of friends, family and members of the local community gathered to mark the switch-on, with the lights supporting the independent Suffolk charity, which cared for both Julie’s parents, Jacqueline and William Sparrow.

Julie and Neil’s lights are being held in tribute to both Jacqueline and William, as well as Julie and Neil’s daughter, Jessica Mai, who sadly died in the early hours of 9th May last year, after giving birth to her second daughter Orla Mai Anne on 7th May.

Julie said: “It is lovely so see people looking at the lights as they go past and saying ‘well done’ for still doing it even after everything that has happened.

“It is so important to support the hospice, even more so at Christmas time. A lot of the hospice nurses gave up their Christmases to look after my Mum. They were away from their families helping our family, which we will be always so grateful for.”

The Stout family’s Christmas lights will be on display until 5th January and this is the second consecutive year they have lit up their home, over the festive period in aid of the hospice, with this year’s display featuring over 28,000 lights – 8,000 more than in 2021.

All funds raised by the Stout family’s Christmas lights this year going towards St Elizabeth Hospice’s Be a Star, Christmas appeal.

On average every Christmas, the hospice provides vital care to more than 1,150 people living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses and their families across East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, for many of whom it will be their last Christmas spent together.

Through Be a Star, the charity is encouraging the community to support the hospice during this very special time of year and help staff ensure patients and families can have the Christmas they deserve.

To donate towards the Stout family’s Christmas lights, visit www.justgiving.com/page/neil-stout-1668770695216

To view the Stout family’s lights display visit 16, Mill Road Drive, Purdis Farm.

From purchasing items such as Christmas cards, from St Elizabeth Hospice shops or online store, to taking part fundraising events like the Christmas Day Dip or volunteering time to help the hospice as part of a New Year’s resolution.

There are a number of ways to take part in the Be a Star appeal and each one makes a vital contribution to supporting the hospice in making Christmas time a special time for those under its care this year.

Find out how to support the Be a Star appeal by visiting www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/be-a-star/be-a-star-appeal or call 01473 723600.