Heartbreaking story behind home decorated with 100,000 Christmas lights
A dad whose home is festooned with 100,000 Christmas lights has lifted the lid on the display, from how much it costs, the weeks of preparation involved - and the heartbreak behind it.
Ross Clark has been putting on his festive charity show each year since 2018, and estimates he's spent as much as £30,000 on lights and decorations, which include themed zones and even a giant snow machine. But the reason behind it is incredibly personal and touching.
The 45-year-old business owner is one of the many daring Brits who go all guns blazing with their lights in order to raise cash for charity. But it all started when Ross and wife Michelle lost their infant son, Jack, in 2002 after he was born at just 21 weeks.
To celebrate his life, the family have been adorning their home in Boughton-under-Blean near Faversham, Kent, in time to switch on the lights for what would be his birthday on November 24. "The decorations got bigger and bigger each year until people suggested we put on proper displays for charity," Ross told The Mirror.
"I thought it was a great idea. This year though we decided to push the boat out for what would have been his 21st." The family, which also includes son Lewis, 20, and Ellie, 22, spent almost a month installing the decorations this year, which are kept in a rented storage unit throughout the rest of the year.
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The incredible spectacle even has themed zones, from a safari display to a North Pole area with its own waterfall"It took three-and-a-half weeks to put up," he revealed. "It takes a huge amount of planning. You have to map out where it's all going to go in relation to the electrics and how long the cables are. We have a safari-themed area and a North Pole area with a waterfall.
"We also have a giant snowman and a snow machine, and put out candy canes for the kids. Every year I buy more stuff and just add as I go along. I've become a bit of a hoarder." The Clark family home is so bright, it can be seen from the nearby M2 motorway. "I just hope it doesn't cause any accidents," Ross added.
Despite having an estimated 80-100,000 individual lights, the family say the display barely impacts their energy bills. "They're all LEDS so it doesn't really cost us any extra," he added. "Our smart meter is still in the green zone for now."
The decorations take more than three weeks to install, but just five days to take down againThe Clarks all pitch in each year to put the spectacle together, with daughter Ellie restocking the sweets and the snow machine. Ross, who runs his plumbing business from home, says they keep the blinds closed at night but the effort and expense is entirely worth it for seeing people share their photos on social media.
"We have a Facebook group where people post their pictures and selfies," he added. "There's no feeling like it. The way I see it, people spend their money on cars or going out, this is just what I like."
Their efforts have raised thousands for various neo-natal charities over the past five years, including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Bliss. This year, the Clark family are raising money for Tiny Toes, supporting premature babies in hospitals in Kent. You can donate to their JustGiving page here.
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