The winter wonderland house you have to visit - and not just for the obvious reason

[dutchman]

The lights at the Cromdale Close home in Nuneaton were officially switched on in front of a street full of people



Every year, Roy and Denise Davenport turn their home into a winter wonderland. In the months in the run-up to the start of December, the couple start transforming their with hundreds of lit-up decorations, ready for the start of the festive season.

Initially the couple did it simply to spread some festive cheer across their estate, but now their annual festive transformation has become even more important. In return for the sight of the dazzling decorations, which include a full Arctic front window with polar bears, the couple from Cromdale Close in Nuneaton ask for donations for the Mary Ann Evans Hospice.

The hospice, which cares and supports so many across Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Warwickshire, costs more than £2m a year to run. With only a small amount of central funding, the facility relies heavily on donations.

A hospice representative attended the official 'switch on' of the lights on Friday (December 1), which included a fireworks display beforehand. The spokesman explained to CoventryLive just how important the Davenport's efforts are.

"Things like this (the festive house) are vital for us," he said. "Because we are based on the same site as the hospital, people think we are fully funded, but we aren't and it is fantastic that people like Roy and Denise do this for us. We could not do it without them."

The official switch-on saw Roy dress up as Father Christmas. 'Snow' was also blown around the crowds from a special machine at the front of the house.

Now the lights are on at the Davenport's home every night in the run up to Christmas. Donations can be made via buckets at the address or via the Cromdale Christmas lights page on justgiving here.