One last Christmas lights switch on for the Green family in Larkfield

KentOnline / KMTV

A family in Larkfield held their 30th Christmas lights display, which transforms their home to celebrate the festivities.  But they're retiring the tradition, as the grandfather of the Green family who lead the event, has terminal bladder cancer.

Transcript

00:00The Greens have been bringing festive joy to the Larkfield community for the past 30 years,

00:12thanks to their beautiful Christmas light displays. But 2024 is the last time they'll

00:19be celebrating the spirit of the season like this, as the family's grandfather Kevin,

00:26the one who organises the event alongside his wife Pat, is terminally ill with bladder cancer.

00:33I've been in hospital I don't know how many times since, having scans, treatment and everything.

00:43Finally a consultant called us in and he said there's nothing else we could do for her.

00:50As a result, hundreds of people turned up to show their support and congratulate the Greens

00:58for all their achievements. To surprise Kevin, the family arranged a firework display and even

01:06the Larkfield community group singers got involved to allow the celebration to go out with a bang.

01:13Money raised from this final light display will be going towards Cancer Research UK to honour

01:20Kevin's long battle with the condition. So far they've raised over £2,000.

01:28Dad got originally diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 and then mum had throat cancer 2012, 10?

01:372011. Yeah and it's only due to Cancer Research that they've both been here as long as they are.

01:42Mum's fully recovered, unfortunately dad then ended up with second cancer and that ended up

01:48getting the better of him by soon. Despite losing to the disease, Kevin is looking back happily

01:55on memories of the family tradition. I mean when Covid first came out, people weren't allowed out

02:03the houses and I said, you know I said I'm not gonna not gonna put not gonna not put them up

02:10and I still put them up and I think we made more money that that time than a few of the other times

02:19because it brought a smile to their faces rather than sadness. Now sadly it's the end of an era

02:26for the Green family as the Christmas lights behind me will no longer shine after tonight

02:33but hopefully the festive spirit they've brung will live on in the Larkfield community.

02:39Henry Luck for CAME TV in Larkfield.

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