Ash Lane Christmas Lights in Gunville, which appeared on BBC’s The One Show last week, is one of several displays lighting up in aid of Mountbatten Isle of Wight this year.
Last year, Ash Lane resident Lee Hayden won Island Echo’s Light up the Wight competition. So, naturally, he has gone bigger and brighter for 2025.
But preparations were hampered when Lee suffered a serious knee injury. Keen not to disappoint, his friends and family pulled together to make the light show a reality. Businesses including MK Scaffolding, Shide Trees and Sydenhams have all played a part in keeping the display on track.
Other entries also fundraising for Mountbatten Isle of Wight this year include The Mall in Binstead (1) and Manor Road in Lake (8).
During recent filming, TV presenter Angellica Bell went and saw the Ash Lane display for herself, saying she had never seen anything like it!
You can watch the One Show segment for yourself at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002nbz8/the-one-show-12122025.
Those following the official Light up the Wight map – which can be found at www.islandecho.co.uk/xmas – are urged to dig deep and give generously to charity. Other charities set to benefit from entries this year include Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group, Sandown Carnival, WightSAR, MNDA, Royal British Legion, Daisy Chains IW and Vectis Corps of Drums.
