Hemel Hempstead residents light up their homes to raise money for charity

Two families in Hemel Hempstead have lit up their homes this Christmas to raise money for local good causes.

Paul and Helen Cruickshanks, in Tile Kiln Lane, have synchronised lights to music and a Lightning McQueen car on display.

They are raising money for Team Macy, a charity set up in their daughter's memory who sadly passed away in 2012 when she was six weeks old.

In Macy's memory the family have been raising awareness of the World’s biggest childhood killer, Congenital Heart Defects.

Sally said: "We have been raising money since then for equipment fit the paediatric intensive care unit, for genetic research into cardiac conditions and to fund defibrillators in local schools and first aid training for children.

"We have raised almost £90,000! We have a target of £100,000 to be raised before what would have been her 10th birthday.

"Christmas is a difficult time for us as Macy died on 20 December. We started the lights to try and bring some normality to our other children’s Christmas and since then it has got bigger and bigger!"

There are donation pots and a wishing well on the driveway. For more information about Team Macy visit: www.teammacy.co.uk.

In Gravel Hill Terrace, Boxmoor, Charlie and Sally Green, are raising money for The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.

Charlie said: "This is the second year we have raised money for The Hospice of St Francis, we used to do it for our grandchildren and people suggested we should do it for charity.

"My wife works at The Hemel Hempstead School and had been involved for the 10 years the school hosted the Midnight Walk and Walk with the Stars, the site team at school made the Santa Sleigh with the headteachers approval."

To support their fundraising click here.