HOUSES in St Helens are transforming into winter wonderlands to spread Christmas joy and raise vital funds for local charities.

Starting her festive tradition back in 2008, Michelle Lever has been lighting up her house on Cross Farm Road every Christmas, building and adding to her designs with each passing year.

With the pandemic creating difficulties for charities and severley depleting their fundraising streams, Michelle decided to dedicate her festive designs towards Alder Hey Children's Hospice and ask local people to donate whatever they can to the cause.

St Helens Star: Michelle is raising funds for Alder Hey Children's Hospital with her Christmas decorationsMichelle is raising funds for Alder Hey Children's Hospital with her Christmas decorations

With doctors operating life-saving surgery on her son at an early age, and other family members receiving quality care at the hospital, Alder Hey is a place close to Michelle's heart.

In addition to the festive lights, decorations, Santa letter boxes and the frequent attendance of Father Christmas at Cross Farm Road, Michelle has placed Alder Hey donation buckets outside her home for people to donate when they stop by to take a picture.

Michelle, 55, is registered as disabled and suffers with arthiritis, yet is determined to continue her tradition to spread festive cheer and raise vital funds for the hospice.

St Helens Star: Michelle has been collecting decorations for her festivities every year since 2008Michelle has been collecting decorations for her festivities every year since 2008

Michelle said: "I've collected decorations for the house since 2008 and it's just about spreading Christmas joy. My granddaughter loves it."

Dedicating her display to Alder Hey, she added: "It's just our way of thanks to Alder Hey for evrything that they do, and they've been really apprecative of our effort."

St Helens Star: Father Christmas outside the winter wonderland at Cross Farm RoadFather Christmas outside the winter wonderland at Cross Farm Road

In Thatto Heath, Shane Ferguson has also been busy getting his community into the Christmas spirit.

Like Michelle, he decided to raise money for a local charity last year that was struggling for funds due to complications with the pandemic - and wanted to make up for the lack of Christmas grottos and activities for kids.

St Helens Star: Shane Ferguson's house on Upland Road, Thatto HeathShane Ferguson's house on Upland Road, Thatto Heath

After losing his dad and sister to cancer within two months of each other a few years ago, Shane has committed to raising money for charitable causes and chose Willowbrook Hospice as a worthy cause due to their positive impact on the local community.

Raising an impressive £986 for the hospice, Shane decided to continue the tradition this Christmas and attempt to beat last year's total.

St Helens Star: Shane inflates his grotto every night after work to spread Christmas joyShane inflates his grotto every night after work to spread Christmas joy

Lighting up his house on Upland Road as much as possible, he sets up an inflatable grotto every night and spends two hours listening to Christmas wishes from local children, while encouraging parents to donate what they can in his Willowbrook charity bucket.

Despite having a full time job at North West Vending, Shane gives up his time each night to ensure everyone gets into the Christmas spirit after the cancellations of last year and the difficult periord we have all faced.

St Helens Star: Shane explained her wanted to help Willowbrook hospice with his display, and make sure kids get into the Christmas spiritShane explained her wanted to help Willowbrook hospice with his display, and make sure kids get into the Christmas spirit

Shane, 50, said: "It's all a bit of fun really but I wanted to do something after I heard Willowbrook was struggling last year and there were no Santa's for kids.

"I set the grotto up every night and it's worth it to see the kids excited and waiting outside.

"The feedback I've had is amazing and I'm even going to be the Willowbrook Santa next month. It's just great to see people dropping some money into the bucket."

St Helens Star: Shane's decorationsShane's decorations