A North Cornwall man is decorating his bungalow in thousands of Christmas lights to help fund vital research into brain tumours.
Martin Langdon, 68, spent weeks decorating his Wadebridge home with more than 30,000 holiday lights. He finally switched them on in aid of Brain Tumour Research on Saturday 6th, accompanied by a live brass band.
A builder and grandfather, Martin has fundraised for various charities this way for more than 30 years. Adorning his roof and lawn with lights and festive scenes – including snowmen, reindeer and a giant holly leaf – he said: “Once I’ve done the roof, everything else is a bit easier to put up.
“There are about 25 pieces on top of the house. Each year, I try to add new lights and, this year, I have some spiral trees and more penguins, which brings the total to 18. I only started with two!”
The mission of Brain Tumour Research was at the centre of Martin’s display this year, dedicated to a close friend who underwent their second surgery to treat a brain tumour. In 2013, he lost his 86-year-old mother, Joy, only five months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. In 2022, Martin also lost his 36-year-old nephew-in-law, James Flint, after a five-year battle with brain cancer.
Martin said: “It was tough watching people in our family die because of brain tumours. My hope is that by doing this one thing of lighting up my house at Christmas, I can bring hope to patients and their families and some Christmas cheer.”
This year is Martin’s fourth year fundraising for the Charity, having funded multiple days of research, with a total of more than £5,000.
If you want to contribute to Martin’s fundraiser, donate to us and use ‘Martin Langdon’ as a reference.
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Published Monday 16th December 2024.