After a devastating year, the Wilkinson family from Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast, is creating their own light after the darkness of losing their five-year-old daughter to cancer this year.
Izzy Wilkinson's love for the Dr Seuss Christmas character, the Grinch, prompted neighbours to rally behind the Wilkinson family and transform their street into "Whoville Lane" as a sparkling memorial and community fundraiser for Kids With Cancer.
Izzy's mother, Sarah, says the support they've received has helped them cope with grief.
"I knew Christmas was going to be hard," she said.
"As you drive up the cul-de-sac there're twinkles everywhere and it's just absolutely magical."
Ms Wilkinson said Izzy loved Christmas and sometimes watched The Grinch film five times a day.
Before Izzy died in August, Ms Wilkinson purchased some Grinch-themed Christmas lights as a way to help her daughter stay positive and happy.
When the Wilkinsons received Izzy's diagnosis in August last year, the family rushed to Sydney for treatment and didn't return home for three months.
In that time, the community of Forster rallied behind them, starting a GoFundMe page and putting it towards a full garden makeover to help Izzy — an avid gardener and lover of flowers — during her cancer journey.
"It was just amazing what our neighbours did for us and local businesses got behind us," Ms Wilkinson said.
"And I think that's what obviously impacted other people and they just wanted to help in some way."
The Wilkinson family has so far raised more than $2,000 for Kids With Cancer, an organisation they say helped them immensely during their journey, and they felt compelled to give back.
Donations to the charity go towards helping other children diagnosed with cancer, as well as funding nurses, hospitals and cancer research.
"It's just a little way we can give back," says Ms Wilkinson.
