Burton Latimer Christmas street bonanza raises whopping £25,000

After more than 100 hours of counting coins it's a record total for the Hollow Wood Road residents
Cheques were handed to local charities on Saturday. Picture by John Woods.Cheques were handed to local charities on Saturday. Picture by John Woods.
Cheques were handed to local charities on Saturday. Picture by John Woods.

A festive display in a Burton Latimer cul-de-sac dubbed 'Christmas Street' raised almost £25,000 to give to several charities.

Every year the tight-knit community in Hollow Wood Road put thousands of lights on each of the 28 homes, attracting huge crowds throughout December.

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More than 100 hours were spent counting cash donated by those who attended with a total of £24,563.89 raised for charity - double last year's total of £12,000.

Visitors donated through the Feed The Reindeer slot. Picture by John Woods.Visitors donated through the Feed The Reindeer slot. Picture by John Woods.
Visitors donated through the Feed The Reindeer slot. Picture by John Woods.

On Saturday (February 8) cheques were presented to a number of charities who will benefit from the funds.

Hollow Wood Road resident Jamie Featon said: "It's just unbelievable really.

"We were hoping to match last year's again so to get to £25,000 just took us all by surprise."

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As well as money donated residents won £500 after being crowned champions of the Sunday Mirror’s Illumination Street competition.

Thousands of lights were displayed on the street's 28 houses.Thousands of lights were displayed on the street's 28 houses.
Thousands of lights were displayed on the street's 28 houses.

Causes to benefit include the Burton Latimer Scouts, who were given £5,000 towards a minibus, and the town's Guiding Centre who will also receive £5,000.

The self-funding air ambulance service has been given £6,000 and WoW Christian Faith was given £1,000 to organise day trips for disadvantaged families.

Also receiving money are East Northants Community Services (£1,000), Johnny's Happy Place (£1,000), Animals in Need in Little Irchester (£500) and Irthlingborough-based animal charity Nanna (£500).

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There is also some leftover cash to give to other causes throughout the year.

Jamie said: "It's not just Christmas where people need money - if something else comes up then we are hoping to be able to say we can help."

He thanked Bosworth's Garden Centre for their support with parking and said he was enjoying a break from Christmas planning but organisation will start again in September.

Last year Jamie's own display included about 5,000 LED lights with more than 100,000 on show in the whole street.

He said: "I'm sure next year there will be more lights than ever before."