Almost a decade ago two Wirral neighbours competed to have the best Christmas lights and then the whole street joined in – now they are raising money for The Hive Youth Zone. Tony McDonough reports

Almost a decade ago two neighbours on Templemore Road in Oxton Village began a friendly rivalry on who had the best Christmas lights.

Eventually more neighbours joined in and now the street’s Winter Wonderland illuminations have become an annual fixture. This year’s big switch on takes place at 4.30pm on Saturday, November 25.

And this year the residents will be raising money for the The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead. It supports some of the most vulnerable and most at-risk children across the Wirral.

With the rise in the cost-of-living families are struggling more than ever, so the Hive has never been more needed.

Templemore resident Will Roberts said  “The displays get bigger and bigger every year, we start putting them up in October and it takes a surprisingly short time to take them down.

“This year we have chosen to raise money for The Hive, a charity very close to my heart. The money raised will go towards making sure local children and their families who are living in poverty get a Christmas they deserve.

“Money raised will go towards providing Christmas food hampers and presents for these families, who otherwise will go without. Many are having to choose between eating or heating, never mind buying Christmas presents for their children”. 

There are QR codes around the road for visitors to donate to the fundraising page which you can also see by clicking here.

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The Hive works with 3,000 young people each year from across Wirral, giving them somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.

Operating six days a week young people can choose from 20 activities each day including sports, arts, music, climbing and cooking.

This is underpinned with developmental and support programmes such as young leaders’ courses, employability schemes and a mentoring programme.