Lights up raises £1,900 for MTW Children’s Services
Last year, the local community came together to raise an impressive £1,900 in support of The Hedgehog Ward and the Neonatal Unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital (MTW Children’s and Neonatal Services). The funds were generated through proceeds from a Christmas grotto event, along with half of all raffle ticket sales.
The charity holds a special place in the heart of our event organiser, Claire, whose niece Harriet received exceptional care in the Neonatal Unit in January 2023. Claire’s personal connection to the cause made this year’s fundraising efforts even more meaningful, as the Neonatal Unit continues to provide vital care for newborns and their families.
The funds raised will go towards enhancing the services at The Hedgehog Ward and Neonatal Unit, helping to provide essential equipment and support for some of the hospital’s youngest and most vulnerable patients.
about the event
Lights Up is an annual Christmas event held on the last Sunday of November in Paddock Wood. We shut the high street and it turns into a mass of market stalls, with food and drink stalls located in the small car park, a stage with entertainment all afternoon from the local schools, choirs and dance groups and some great music acts. There is free street entertainment, you’ll find Father Christmas in his Grotto, a small funfair located in the station car park and we end the event with special guests switching on our Christmas tree to light up our high street! There is a raffle with lots of great prizes donated from our local businesses. Half of all the ticket sales and all of the proceeds of the Santa’s Grotto goes to a local charity every year.
The Paddock Wood Lights Up committee are a small group of local people committed to bringing the community together during the festive season. We are all small businesses or individuals that live and work in Paddock Wood, who give up our own personal time and resources for free to put on an annual Christmas event for the people of the town to enjoy and bring the community together. The event is completely self-funded by the Paddock Wood Lights Up committee, and we rely on donations, grants, and sponsorship in order to be able to put on the event each year.
THANKS TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS
