A Merseyside family has transformed their home into a Christmas Grotto for a very special reason.
Families can have the opportunity to talk to, or write to Santa as he arrives in St Helens thanks to Shane Ferguson and his family. The dad-of-three has turned the outside of his home on Upland Road into a winter wonderland, with dozens of lights, a grotto and a 20ft inflatable Santa.
Since 2015, Shane has been bringing Christmas to his community in November to pay tribute to both his dad and sister who "loved Christmas". But as it grew every year, and the display got bigger and better, he decided to raise funds for Willowbrook Hospice after hearing they were "struggling" for donations.
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Shane told the ECHO: "I lost my dad and sister in 2015, they were a big part of my life and they loved Christmas. My dad wasn't around to put the lights up so I said I'd do them myself. It started with ten lights and has grown into something big.
"During lockdown people were asking on Facebook about the lack of Grotto's for children to attend so I went out, bought a sit, got a second hand grotto and it went from there. Loads of people came, adhering to the rules, even Sant had a mask on.
"But for the past three years we've been fundraising for Willowbrook. They were struggling for funds and it's in walking distance to where I live, it's fun, I love it. People can't be spending money on a grotto visit, so they can come here and put pennies in the bucket, every little helps."
From 6pm until 8.30pm, families can come to the grotto on Upland Road and meet Santa and see the festive lights, leaving a donation if they can. But electricity bills are not a huge concern for Shane - who will dress as Santa every evening - as he said he enjoys putting a smile on people's faces.
He added: "It's bringing a smile to people's faces. I've always put the decorations up around November 20, it gives me a good 30 days to raise enough money."
As the light switch on was tonight, Shane said it was a "really successful" evening. He told the ECHO: "Last year we had people come from Warrington, Birkenhead and Chester. It's got really big.
"Anyone is welcome to come, people can come down and have fun and chat to Santa and see the lights. It's great, I love it."
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