More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A dad has been lighting up the faces of residents for years with his show-stopping Christmas decorations - put up in memory of his baby son.
Ross Clark, who lives in Boughton-under-Blean, between Faversham and Canterbury, says this year’s display is his biggest yet after he spent a whopping £2,000 on new ones.
It has taken the Colonel’s Lane resident three weeks to adorn his home and front garden with dazzling illuminations, to the delight of his neighbours.
But for Ross and his wife Michelle, the display has a more poignant purpose than just marking the festive season.
On November 24, 2002, Jack Clark was born three weeks prematurely and tragically died when he was just two weeks old.
Mr Clark said: “He lost all the oxygen to his brain and he was brain dead. We had to turn off the machines - he was living for the whole two weeks on a ventilator. As soon as we turned that off, he gave us his last breath.”
For 18 years, Mr Clark has paid tribute to Jack by putting on impressive displays in his memory.
The family moved from Wimbledon to Boughton-under-Blean 11 years ago. They have been turning heads in the village with their array of decorations ever since, which Mr Clark estimates are worth more than £5,000.
“As the years have gone on, they have got bigger and bigger,” he added.
“This year with Covid, we thought we would go all out and this is the biggest one to date.
“I am happy everyone is enjoying the lights - it’s great.”
The whole of the garden and the front, side and roof of the house has been embellished.
“It’s hard work but it’s worth it,” Mr Clark added.
He has decided to use the display to help raise money for Bliss, a charity for babies born prematurely or sick.
There are donation pots in the Boughton Post Office, The Village Store, Maytree Nurseries and outside the home in Colonel’s Lane.
To donate online, visit the JustGiving page.
