A man has decked out his car with thousands of Christmas lights in hopes of raising money for charity following the death of his sister.
Sam Donnellan spent around three hours covering his Volvo XC90 with 2,500 lights as part of his effort to spread festive cheer while collecting donations for Mummy’s Star, which provides support for women who are diagnosed with cancer in or around pregnancy.
The 24-year-old has been driving his decked-out car around his home town of Winsford, Cheshire, all month for the second year in a row, with residents given the chance to donate to his chosen charity.
The electrical engineer was inspired to start up his fundraiser following the death of his sister, Elishia Donnellan, on April 20, 2020.
The mum-of-one died aged 23 after battling Ewings Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, for several years, leaving behind her now nine-year-old son, Caelan.
Mr Donnellan told GB News: “Last year I had seen all over social media people had done it with their cars, so I did it for a bit of fun and people were messaging me saying ‘I will pay you if you come to our house and show our kids’.
“I told them I didn’t want any money and that I’d happily come along to your house and this year I thought I will do it again and set it up properly for charity. It has gone pretty well.”
Sam Donnellan is driving his car around his home town of Winsford throughout the month of December
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SAM DONNELLAN
The festive fundraiser has already racked up more than £300 in donations, which Mr Donnellan said he “can’t believe”.
He told the People’s Channel: “I keep checking it and I can’t believe that it’s that much.
“I say to people I will come to your house, don’t feel obliged that you have to donate I just do it – it’s the kids faces that light up when you drive down the road, they all stop and point and wave – even adults do too.”
Mr Donnellan said Mummy’s Star supported his older sister and her son after she was diagnosed by organising days out for the pair to “help them forget what was going on”.
Mr Donnellan was inspired to raise money for Mummy’s Star following the death of his sister, Elishia
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“Mummy’s Star did a lot for her and I just sort of wanted to give that help, even if it was £100, help give that money to them.
“She was the life of the party. There wasn’t anyone in the town who didn’t know who she was.
“She was one of those people – if you needed anything she was there.
“She was always there for everyone. She lit up any room she walked into.”