WHAT started out as a humble Christmas lights display has over the years transformed into a hugely successful charity fundraising group from Bridgwater.
Local couple Gill Brown and Stu Thorne founded the Bridgwater Friends Group of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), in 2006 - inspired after setting up a charity Christmas display for family and friends.
After receiving a total of £35 in donations in its first year, Gill and Stu decided to open up their impressive display to the public.
Gill, who founded the group 18 years ago and turns 80 this year, has always been a keen fundraiser.
During a spell as landlady of the White Hart in Highbridge, she made sure the bar was always full of collecting boxes for various good causes.
“While running the pub, one of the girls I went to school with lost her son to leukaemia,” said Gill.
“And that’s what set me off collecting for charity.”
Now a grandmother of five, Gill met husband Stu in 1997 and the pair married and settled in Bridgwater at their three-bedroom home in Sandpiper Road.
Their house and garden were soon transformed into a festive wonderland, with Stu using over 70 sockets to power thousands of twinkling lights.
“We had an outdoor room,” said Gill. “So we covered it in Christmas lights and turned it into a grotto.
“Our neighbour dressed up as Father Christmas. We even had disco and a barbecue.
Word of the display quickly spread around Bridgwater with families making annual trips to the couple’s home with their children and leaving a charitable donation.
After learning about the work of Children’s Hospice South West, Gill was asked to set up a friends group to support the work of the charity.
Fast forward to the present day, and the Bridgwater Friends Group has raised over £406,000 for Children’s Hospice South West.
It has organised fashion shows, clairvoyant nights and treasure hunts and continues to hold regular bucket and tin shaking collections across the town.
Its events have even attracted some celebrity turns - last year’s Picnic in the Park was opened by Bridgwater-born Polar athlete and explorer Rosie Stancer, and included performances by two members of Led Zeppelin.
The group has also built long lasting partnerships with local businesses including Howdens, Morrisons, Asda and Monkton Elm Garden Centre, bringing in tens of thousands of pounds.
Speaking on the group's success, Gill said: “We have an amazing committee and none of this would be possible without their dedication, commitment and hard work.
“Between us we organise everything - and we all share the same vision and determination, to raise as much money as possible for CHSW.
“We are also very lucky that the people of Bridgwater and the surrounding area are exceptionally generous when it comes to supporting our work for the charity.”
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