A British family have decorated their home in half a million Christmas lights – setting them back £60,000 – for one heartbreaking reason.
Ross and Michelle Clark transform their home into a dazzling display each festive season.
And it’s all done in loving memory of their son, Jack, who passed after being born prematurely.
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Over the years, they’ve added to their impressive collection; now displaying over 500,000 lights on their Kent home.
Even though it’s left them forking out £60,000, plus an extra £250 on their electricity bill, it’s become a much-loved attraction within their local area.
And online, with a clip of their brightly lit home racking up 2.1m views and over 197,000 likes.
“Losing [Jack] left a hole in our hearts that will never fully heal,” Michelle, from Boughton-under-Blean, told Need To Know.
“Yet his memory fills our home and every corner of our lives.
“Each light we put up is a reminder of him; the love we felt, the grief we carry, and the hope that his memory can shine bright for others.
“Any money we would’ve been spent on our son over his life, we’ve instead put into the display.
“We can’t put a price on losing our son, but this is the closest we can get.”
Ross and Michelle, aged 47 and 46, started the tradition in 2002.
Now, their other kids, Ellie, 24 and Lewis, 21, join in to honour their late brother.
Since then, they’ve raised more than £50,000 for various children’s charities.
Included in the display is a memory tree, where other people in the community can remember their loved ones that are no longer with us.
Candy canes, reindeer, snowmen and Santa’s sleigh are also featured.
Ross said: “Our lights honour all the precious babies who now shine among the angels in the sky; remembering their lives and the families who love them.
“We hope the display brings people together, celebrating community, hope, and the spirit of Christmas.”
Jack was born in 2002, four weeks early and critically ill.
He spent all his time in an incubator and sadly passed just six days later.
On 24 November, each year, the lights are switched on – marking Jack’s birthday.
This year, it would’ve been his 23rd.
An estimated 25,000 come to visit the family home to admire the breathtaking display during the season.
This year, they’re supporting Tiny Toes, a campaign run by East Kent Hospitals Charity.
And while they’ve faced issues, such as faulty lights and damage due to high winds, it’s a tradition they will never falter on.
Michelle added: “Our lights are not just decoration.
“They are a story, a memory and a symbol of love and loss that stretches from our home to every tiny fighter and their family.
“As you walk past and see them twinkle in the night, we hope [people] feel the magic and take a moment to remember the babies no longer with us.
“Though Jack’s time with us was heartbreakingly short, the love and joy he brought into our lives is impossible to put into words.”
The display is lit daily from 8am until 11:30pm and will continue until 5 January 2026.
