Last-ever Christmas lights switch-on for Bishopthorpe family

Toni Wilson, who ‘died twice’ after suffering severe head injuries in a car crash, recently celebrated her 40th birthday.

The family used Christmas lights all year round at home on the long path to Toni’s eyesight returning as a nine-year-old.

Jo said the inside of the family house is also covered in lights which her daughter absolutely loves, and Toni always sits by the door watching people enjoying the Christmas lights as much as she does.

The family first created a winter wonderland in the garden of their Main Street home in Bishopthorpe home 15 years ago because Toni loved the pretty and colourful lights which also proved to be therapeutic.

But as people started coming from all over the city to see the spectacular decorations, the family began asking for donations to support the charities which have helped Toni over the years and have since added Halloween and Easter light-ups to the fundraising calendar.

Jo Wilson said: “I’m really, really sad it’s the final one because we’ve been doing it for so long.

“Everybody looks forward to it, so I tend to think about the impact on other people and Toni rather than on me.

“I see it every single night but these people come from all over to have a look.

“Somebody came from Barnsley to see the Halloween one and told us they come along for the Christmas switch on too, saying it looks wonderful and cheers them up.

“I think when the lights come down for the last time on January 1, I might get very weepy.”

Jo said she and her partner Geoff Fisher finished the month-long preparations last week.

This year’s ‘grand finale switch-on ‘ also saw stalls, a tombola and hot drinks on sale to boost the fund-raising coffers.

Jo said she’s already collected £200 for the pot from sales of £3 bracelets and jewellery via a pre-launch Facebook campaign.

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Jo said there’s a big wow factor for those coming onto Main Street from the direction of the Archbishop’s Palace as their home is the second bungalow you see, and it’s also visible from the other end of the village at Sim Balk Lane.

She said: “People turn up for these Christmas lights in their dozens.

“Last year, 15 minutes before the switch on I opened the door and you couldn’t move, they were waiting for 5 o’clock.

“It hits you in the face when you come round the corner.

“It’s remarkable what it does. ”

Thousands of pounds have been raised by the various switch-ons at the family home and Jo will keep up the fundraising for local good causes, which over the years have included Your Choice Our Voice in Huntington.

Jo said: “For the last four years, Toni has been going to The Hut York, a charity in Wigginton Road opposite York Hospital.

“Every penny goes there because she’s there five days a week.

“They used some of the donations to build a snug area there which has her name above it.”

Jo said her fundraising efforts will continue all year round with her jewellery making and she’s thinking of other ideas.

She said she’ll also make sure that an intimate version of the lights will continue for Toni and the family, at their Bishopthorpe home.