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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jess Grieveson-Smith

Loving dad continues 34-year-long Christmas light tradition for his disabled daughter

A loving dad who started a Christmas tradition for his disabled daughter has kept it going for three decades.

Alex Smith, 71, from Stanley, Leeds, first put up the display of incredible lights for his daughter Poppy.

As he, along with his wife Carol, 66, felt Poppy missed out on a lot of childhood activities, they set out to make  Christmas  even more unique.

But the family never imagined that they would be doing the same, 34 years on.

Now there's not an inch to spare on the Smiths' home.

There are lights on every wall and available space outside their home, reports Leeds Live.

Alex Smith, from Stanley, has kept the tradition going for 34 years (LeedsLive WS)

The home, on Lime Pit Lane, Stanley, fast became a hotspot for young families to see.

Poppy, now 34, said "Due to health challenges, my dad saw I was missing out on a lot of childhood things that most people seem to take for granted.

"I love Christmas, as do my parents and so over the years, we've continued, making it bigger and bigger.

"Now people come from all over to see it, and so we decided it was time to help raise donations for the charities that have helped me get where I am today.

Alex Smith's house is covered in festive lights (LeedsLive WS)

"They've helped me with medical equipment and got me to where I am now."

Locals have commented on the family's fundraising efforts with many stating "they've taken their kids for years" and adding "it cheers the whole village up."

This year, the family have set a target of £2000 for Disability Action Yorkshire.

The lights are on show on Lime Pit Lane everyday from 4:30pm.

Poppy's fundraising link can be found here;  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/poppy-smith

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