Grandmother creates her own winter wonderland in Great Dunmow for charity

Forget Lapland this Christmas when there is a winter wonderland right on the doorstep...

For the past 15 years, Lynn Wild, of Newton Green, Great Dunmow, has been transforming her front garden into a festive spectacle with blow up Santas, singing snowmen and lots of twinkling lights.

The 61-year-old does it each December to see the smiles on children’s faces as they walk by and to raise money for St Clare Hospice.

Her father, John Jeffery, died of cancer in 1997 and was treated by the hospice, so ever since she has put a box of envelopes out the front of her house for people who wish to donate.

She told the Broadcast: “It started off with just a few blow ups and a few lights but every year I have added a bit extra to it.

“It is for the children, I just love seeing their faces when they come past. Some people even drive up to come and have a look. I would have it up all year round if I could.

“It is my baby, I love doing it.”

Lynn tries to get her attraction up and running by December 1 but people start asking from November about when it will be appearing.

It takes around three to four days to put it all together and she has no idea how much she has spent on it over the years.

The grandmother-of-one said: “I have never kept track, if I see something I like I will just buy it. Although I am running out of space in the front garden so I might have to go into the back garden.”

Lynn often gets at least three envelopes with donations through her letter box each day and she says weekends tend to be the busiest time. Last year she touched on more than £200 for the hospice which also cared for her mother and brother-in-law before they died.

“They are so helpful, nothing is every trouble for them,” she said. “The nurses go out when you need them and are always at the end of the phone.”