A Christmas fundraiser smashed its target to raise almost £12,000 for a Lancashire children’s hospice.

Derian House’s ‘Deck the Halls’ event saw 27 families from nine towns and villages, including Blackburn, light up their homes and businesses with Christmas decorations such as fairy lights, glittering reindeer and inflatable snowmen.

A map of the displays meant that families could take the Deck the Halls tour – and they did in their hordes, smashing the £10,000 target to raise almost £12,000.

Lancashire Telegraph: Christmas lights in PenworthamChristmas lights in Penwortham (Image: Derian House)

The money raised will help Derian House look after 400 children and young people with life-limited illnesses, and their families, across the North West.

Joan Mills said: “Lighting up my house for Derian House is my way of supporting a brilliant local charity and also thinking of those families that have lost someone precious.

“However, it’s also my way of remembering those I have lost over the past few years. My husband Malcolm passed away in 2020, and then my mum in March last year.

"My daughter lost her fiancé three years ago on New Year’s Eve. Before that I lost my sister and my dad. So when I light up my home, I’m doing it all for them really.

Lancashire Telegraph: Joan's inflatable snowmanJoan's inflatable snowman (Image: Derian House)

“I love to have lots of lights up, even when Christmas is over. It just brings that bit of brightness to those dark winter nights.

“Deck the Halls is only once a year and it gives my family, friends and neighbours a lot of pleasure. I’ll definitely do it again – despite having lost an eight foot inflatable snowman somewhere along the way!”

Lancashire Telegraph: Joan's 'Deck the Halls' decorationsJoan's 'Deck the Halls' decorations (Image: Derian House)

Kerry Pritchard, community fundraiser at Derian House, said: “This year’s Deck the Halls event has been a huge success and on behalf of all the families looked after by Derian House.

"I just want to thank everyone who has put in so much effort – we simply couldn’t have done it without you.

“It has been great to see communities come together to switch on their lights and shout about what we do here at Derian. We are grateful to everyone who took part and raised vital funds to help us care for our children.”