A housing estate has been transformed for Christmas after residents decorated their houses based on popular movies and TV shows.
Brynteg Green has seen 20 houses transformed into themes ranging from Batman to Willy Wonka.
“We just thought what can we do that’s something different and fun. With Covid last year, we just wanted to get all the community together and raise some money,” Leanne Bluett, who helped organise the trail, said.
This is the second year the estate in Beddau, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has decorated their houses for the trail. Last year, residents decorated their houses based on classic films such as ET, the Grinch, and Home Alone.
Read more: The impressive Christmas house covered in decorations including a snow machine
“Last year it was brilliant. It was so busy up there. We had people driving through and the houses just went all out.”
The trail, which opened on December 4, normally lasts until around Christmas Day, Leanne, 34, said. This year, Leanne has decorated her house in a Willy Wonka theme, selling cones of sweets and maps for children to follow around the estate.
Leanne’s house chose to do ET last year, complete with ET himself and the famous bike. The trail raised over £6,000 last year.
“All the estate is on board and all the families are coming down from Pontyclun, some from Cardiff are coming to have a look,” Leanne continued.
“It’s nice for the community. This year we thought nobody would be interested, but I put it out there asking if people would want to take part again and over 20 houses have said yes.”
Leanne thought that it would be a good idea to raise money for charity 2 Wish Upon A Star, now known as 2Wish , which provides support for those affected by sudden death in young people. The charity was set up by Miskin resident Rhian Mannings in 2012 after the sudden and tragic loss of her son George.
Leanne decided to raise money for the charity through the Christmas light trail as she worked in the nursery where George went. Rhian set up the charity to support others suffering from the sudden loss of a child or young person. In February 2012, Rhian was playing with George while her husband Paul was downstairs making a cup of tea.
George suffered a sudden seizure and despite efforts of staff at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, died shortly after arriving. It was later discovered that the 12-month-old had been suffering from bronchial pneumonia and type A influenza.
Following the sudden and devastating loss of his son and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Paul tragically took his own life five days later at the age of 33. Rhian was honoured with a Pride of Britain Award last year and has an MBE. She told WalesOnline that she was “thrilled” that the light trail was returning for a second year.
“We just love working with the community and people like Leanne. It’s the reason we do what we do,” she continued.
“We love working with the community, especially the children, and because it’s a really difficult time of the year for bereaved families, but seeing things like this and the spirit of Christmas in the community is amazing.
“So many people have gotten involved and with the miserable year this past year and the year before, everyone just wants to be part of something.”
Rhian, 44, is planning to visit the Christmas trail, and says she can’t wait to see how the houses have been decorated.
She added that it was “amazing” that the money raised by the event would be going towards 2Wish.
“Because it’s local to where 2Wish started and has grown from, I know many people who live on that estate as well.
“It’s just lovely that they’ve taken 2Wish to their hearts. Leanne has done lots for 2 Wish in between as well, and is just very passionate about helping people.”
Rhian said that she was surprised at how little support was available to her and her family after the loss of her son.
“We were given numbers to find support, but we couldn't find any,” she said.
“Five days later, when my husband took his own life, we still really struggled to find that support, and I do believe he would be here today if that support had been available.
“That’s been my passion ever since - to make sure that if a family loses a child suddenly, then we will pick them up and be there for them as much or as little as they need.”
Rhian says that the charity is able to support families because of the impact of community funding.
“For them to be doing this for us, I don’t think they realise the real impact that they’re having, so a massive thank you to them,” she said.
“If anyone out there has lost a child up to the age of 25 under certain circumstances, please reach out to us. It doesn’t matter when that was - it could have been 10 or 20 years ago - but if they’re struggling, they can access exactly the same support.”
Leanne added that this year, the themes of the houses have been “secretive,” with residents not knowing what film or TV show each house has chosen.
There is set to be a QR code at each house for people to scan and donate.
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