Halstead Halloween house display raises over £250 for charity

Cherry Tree close resident Daniel Hawkins has been decorating his home for Halloween since he and his family first moved to Halstead in 2017. 

Over the past seven years, the display has gotten "bigger and bigger", with nearby neighbours helping the Hawkins family prep for the display each year. 

This year, the neighbourhood worked together to create spooky decorations such as a pirate ship, graveyard, lit-up pumpkin patch and guillotine photo point.

This year's display featured a spectacular pirate ship, made from donated wood (Image: Daniel Hawkins) Every year, the family take donations from trick-or-treaters, raising funds for their chosen charities.

Last week for Halloween, the huge display raised an impressive £275 for Halstead in Bloom. 

Homeowner and display organiser Dan said: "I couldn't say a favourite feature of this year's display, as we were all so proud of what we achieved and loved the whole thing."

"We made 400 bags of sweets and near enough all of them went.

"It took us around a week to put the whole display together and get the final touches done, months of planning.

"We have raised just over £275, which is amazing.

"Thank you to everyone who donated, we really appreciate it."

The spooky pumpkin patch featured projective lights to bring it to life (Image: Daniel Hawkins) He continued: "We think it's really important to support a local charity as they often don't get many donations and Halstead in Bloom do such an amazing job around the town.

"It's well deserved for them.

"We love being able to do something that the community likes to come and enjoy on Halloween.

"The children and parents love the displays and are always blown away and so it makes all the hard work worth it.

"We love being able to give something back to the community and bring everyone some enjoyment.

"The display will be back next year, with the Hawkins family and Cherry Tree close residents starting preparations early. 

"The preparations have already begun for next year."

The display's graveyard kept the spooky characters away from trick-or-treaters! (Image: Daniel Hawkins) "Plans are in motion for a bigger and hopefully better display!

"We would just like to add that the display is created by the whole road and everyone of us would like to thank everyone that supports and donates.

"A big thank you to  John Fowlers solicitors in Colchester for donating all the sweets that made up our treat bags.

"Thank you to Medlock Halstead for pallets and all who donated wood so that we could create the pirate ship.

"We hope to see you all next year and thank you once again."