The Tipping family have raised over £25,000 for Lancashire charities.

Four local charities are to share a massive £26,188.67 raised by the now infamous Cottam family.

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For the ninth consecutive year, the outside of Mark and Nicola Tipping’s hosue was covered in thousands upon thousands of fairy lights and its garden transformed into a festive wonderland from the beginning of December through to 12th Night.

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While it was the main attraction, other homes followed its shining example with their occupants also trimming up outdoors as part of the “Let’s Make Cottam Sparkle” campaign founded by primary school teacher Samantha Metcalf, who lives in the village.

Samantha used the Cottam Community Facebook page and put up posters to encourage residents to light up their homes to make Christmas as merry and bright as possible in spite of coronavirus and hundreds did just that.

All money collected was then added to that raised via the Tippings’ garden wishing well collection bucket to achieve the final total, which will be split between Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Derian House Children’s Hospice, Preston Headway and the Jordan Grant 18 Memorial Fund (CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young).

Mark, whose lights over the years have now raised an amazing £107,596.15 for the four charities, said: “We would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to every single person who made a donation and/or supported us in anyway. There are a few people we would like to give a special thank you to for their effort and contribution, including Samantha for organising the ‘Let’s Make Cottam Sparkle’ campaign.

“Thanks too to Carolyn Gibson for organising the ‘Christmas Parade’ and man himself Santa Claus, Lightning McQueen And Friends, Rola Cola truck from Pete Marquis and Shaun Mitchell, Preston & Chorley Headway’s Brainy Bear, Lily Burrows at Pearl’s Princess Productions for Elsa and Olaf,
Rudolph, Frosty, the Elves, Shrek and Fiona, Lisa McNaughton and Three Sisters Emporium for the generous loan of costumes for the parade, Stacey Hindle for her Marvelight Christmas Bottles Raffle, Rachel Hatton for the gorgeous wreath, Danielle Butler att Graze Occasions for an amazing switch on night treat, Pauline Hull for her Bonus Ball raffles, Nigel Stirrup from MW Access for his time with his cherry picker and all our friends, family and AltradNSG work colleagues, who help in so many ways.

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“And finally, a big thank you to all of our neighbours for your patience and understanding with traffic and parking issues. We hope you all have a safe and happy year and look forward to seeing you all again in December.”

Dan Hill, chief officer of Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “I would like to add my sincere thanks to the Tipping family, Samantha and everyone in Cottam, who worked to make the village so special at Christmas, and anyone who visited and donated. The generosity and kindness of people never ceases to amaze me.”

Chair of Headway Preston and Chorley Sarah Charnley said: “‘I am so delighted that the Tipping’s Christmas lights have again included Headway Preston & Chorley to benefit from their spectacular Christmas display. The efforts that they go to each year are truly phenomenal. I think this year more than most we all appreciated more colour and sparkle.

“Our charity is so thankful for the abundant generosity of Mark and Nicola, their family and helpers to put on such a magnificent show and the local community for their donations.

“These funds will help us to continue our work assisting brain injury and major trauma survivors and their families within Preston. Thank you so much.”

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Proud Preston. This, and many stories like it, show how the people of Preston are making a difference. Our Proud Preston section showcases all the charitable, kind, uplifting and great things about our city and the people who live here. #ProudPreston is alive and well, and there’s much to celebrate and be proud of, despite the challenging times we all face.

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