Despite horrendous weather, Terry Ramplin’s Christmas Lights display at Long Lane in Newport proved to be a record breaker in 2015 with over £4300 raised for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
Thanks to support from Island Echo, Southern Vectis, Newport Parish Council, Stage Gear, Shide Trees and HSS Hire – and of course members of the public – the colourful display raised an amazing £4364.73 for the life-saving charity – the most Terry has ever raised in a single year.
Southern Vectis this year donated £250 towards the running costs, a donation matched by Newport Parish Council.
In 2014 £4000 was raised for HIOWAA, meaning a total of £8364 has been raised by Islanders in just two Christmas’. Last year was the 15th year of the annual illuminations, which start to go up on and around the house in October of each year.
Terry and his wife Sue (pictured right) have paid a special thanks to Howdens for donating £250; to businesses who put out collection tins raising £74.73 and to family who knitted tree decorations which were sold on each night throughout December.
The cheque was handed over to volunteers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance this lunchtime (Friday).
When asked if the lights will return in 2016, Terry said that support is still needed to help with purchasing lights and paying the electricity costs, as he does not take running costs out of the monies raised for charity.
If you or your businesses can help secure the return of the Long Lane lights in 2016, get in touch – [email protected].
