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Family turn Halloween Fun into support for Hospice Care

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Large toy skeleton outside a house with people

Every October, the Topden family’s home on Beresford Road in Ely, becomes a Halloween spectacle.

What started years ago with a few pumpkins and cobwebs has now grown into a full display of animated props, smoke machines, eerie lighting and spooky sounds. It’s become something of a local tradition. Families stop by to admire the decorations, take photos, and share in the Halloween excitement.

This year, children Kalden (aged 15) and Amala (aged 10) wanted to make Halloween even more meaningful. Together with their parents, they’re turning their love of all things spooky into a fundraiser for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Their Dad, Thinley shared:

“My son has been Halloween obsessed since he was about four years old, and his younger sister is now equally as obsessed. With much bullying on their part (although my wife says I’m just as bad, which I don’t deny!), we’ve been building up our Halloween collection every year.

We now have a pretty good display, which includes many large animated props. We’re also seeing more and more visitors each year as word gets around.”

The family have decided that this Halloween, as visitors come to enjoy their display, they’ll be invited to make a donation to support Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

“We’ve been very fortunate not to need the type of support the Charity provide and hopefully we never will but we know what an important role Arthur Rank Hospice plays in providing care and comfort to individuals and families at such a difficult time in their lives.

We’ve all been saddened by the news of the devastating funding cuts and wanted to do something, even if just in a small way, to help.”

Large coloured toys outside a house in the dark

Kalden and Amala are helping with every part of the set up from deciding where the ghosts and ghouls should go, to helping collect donations from visitors. Their excitement is infectious, and their enthusiasm for supporting a local cause has inspired friends and neighbours to get involved too.

To support their spooky house event you can donate https://www.justgiving.com/page/halloween-arthur-rank


The Topden family’s Halloween fundraiser is a perfect example of community ‘spirit’ turning something they love into something that helps others. If you’re thinking of your own way to raise money for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at: cf@arhc.org.uk