Larkfield family host final festive display following shock cancer diagnosis

KentOnline / KMTV

After 30 years, the Green family are retiring the tradition as their grandfather, who leads the event, has been diagnoses with 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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