A Ceredigion man will once again turn his garden into a Halloween spectacular to raise funds for charity.
Steve Short, from Llanon, will set up a large impressive Halloween display in his front garden, including a full front of house projection system set up as backdrop to the display, which features lighting, spooky background music and sounds.
This year Steve is raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance and has set himself the fundraising target of £500. Steve has had many interactions with the Charity’s pilots and medics through his work with Aberystwyth University.
Steve works for the university’s grounds section, looking after the playing fields which is the Aberystwyth designated landing area for the Wales Air Ambulance.
Steve is full of admiration for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, he said: “This is a vital service for everyone. One never knows when anyone of us will need help from this service, and I would like to do my bit to try to help with the necessary fundraising.”
Weather depending, this year’s display will be up and running on the evenings of Friday 31 October, Saturday 1 November and Sunday 2 November.
Steve’s garden displays first started during the pandemic, when people were restricted to being at home. He decided to set up some garden displays for the children on the estate to enjoy during their daily walks.
Steve then moved on to create a successful Christmas light display, which then progressed to his Halloween spectacular.
Steve said: “Since then both the Christmas and Halloween displays have got bigger and bigger, with people swamping our housing estate especially on Halloween 31 October.
“I’ll be amongst the display, dressed up in a Halloween costume again, but I’ll be completely still, with a headset microphone on, interacting with the crowd. They’ll have to try to work out which character is talking to them!”
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery.
It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Steve’s displays attract visitors from far and wide and can be seen from the A487 and as far away as Aberaeron. Last year he raised nearly £900 for Stand up to Cancer.
Kate Thomas, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager, said: “Steve’s impressive Halloween and Christmas displays are loved by people of all ages, who travel far and wide to see his displays in aid of different causes. This year we are delighted that the Wales Air Ambulance Charity has been chosen to benefit from this spooky display.
“Through Steve’s work he knows how important the Charity is for the people of Wales and we are very thankful that he is raising funds for us. The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Steve’s fundraiser will help us to continue to be there for you when you need us the most. As always this year’s display is one not to be missed.”
You can show your support to Steve by donating to his JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/page/stephen-short-4
