Light show beats fundraising target

The residents raised £9,000 this year

A festive display of Christmas lights in Pembrokeshire has exceeded the hopes of its organisers by raising £9,000 for two local charities.

Last year, people living in St Mary's Place, Kilgetty, collected £5,000 after decorating their homes.

You don't get many streets where all the neighbours get on so well

Resident Steve Sutton

This year, the money will be donated to Aimee Williams, an 11-year-old girl who is terminally ill, as well as for a local charity called Quacks.

Steve Sutton, one of the householders beginning the task of taking down his lights, said the efforts of people in the road had been excellent.

"Each and every one of the residents has done the best they can," said Mr Sutton.

"It is fantastic and everyone is over the moon," he added.

Mr Sutton revealed a generous donor has made up the shortfall of £120 to bring the final sum raised to £9,000.

Householders hope to do even better next year

An official handing-over of the collections is due to be made at the ROAB club in Kilgetty on Saturday 11 January.

Aimee, from nearby Narberth, turned on the lights at a special ceremony at the end of November.

Aimee has several conditions including chronic renal failure and microcephaly - a neurological state in which a child's head fails to grow properly.

Aimee has dialysis treatment several times a day and has to make regular trips to hospitals in Haverfordwest, Cardiff and Bristol.

"The money will go towards helping her have a more normal life," said Aimee's great aunt Audrey Thomas, who lives in St Mary's Place.

Sightseers

Mr Sutton estimated around 5,000 sightseers, some of them on coaches, had been to view the lights.

"People have been here every single night - it is impossible to say how many people have been here," he said.

"There have been two to three buses a night on some evenings.

"We are looking forward to an even better display next year," he added.

As for the cost of the display, Mr Sutton reckons his electricity bill is only £35 extra, after six weeks of the show.

He said it had been really good to see the whole street coming together to raise money.

"We all enjoy doing it for the charities - you don't get many streets where all the neighbours get on so well."