For the 13th consecutive year, a home in Cambridgeshire has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with a staggering two million Christmas lights illuminating a quiet street to raise vital funds for charity.
A Festive Mission Inspired by Family
The spectacular annual display is the work of retired couple Helen and John Attlesey. Their incredible fundraising efforts were inspired by their grandson, Jacob, who was diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy at just six years old. At the time, doctors gave him less than 18 months to live.
Jacob, who is now 22, underwent life-changing surgery to remove part of his brain. This procedure successfully stopped his seizures and allowed him to learn to eat and walk again.
Thirteen Years of Spreading Light and Hope
Driven by gratitude for the medical support Jacob received, the Attleseys have dedicated over a decade to their luminous project. To date, their dazzling displays have collected more than £61,000 for three key charities: East Anglia Children’s Hospices, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, and Dreamflight.
This year, the 80-year-old Mr Attlesey and his wife, who is in her mid-70s, spent two months decking their chalet, bungalow, and gardens themselves. The festive scene is now complete with snowmen, reindeers, and Santa Claus figures, all covered in a brilliant array of lights.
A Community Spectacle with a Heart
The attraction draws families from miles around, often causing traffic chaos on Julius Martin Lane in Soham. While they used to host a large switch-on event, the couple adapted after the pandemic. They now turn the lights on gradually to prevent big crowds from gathering.
However, on Sunday evening, the entire two-million-light display was illuminated simultaneously, marking the official start of the festive season for thousands of expected visitors. You can witness this heart-warming spectacle for yourself at 74 Julius Martin Lane, Soham.
