Liam Howell to host Christmas lights fundraiser in Cornwall

Liam Howell, 22, from Redruth, Cornwall was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was 21.

He will be hosting a Christmas Light display fundraiser at his family home over the course of this month, starting from Sunday December 5 from 5:30pm.

This fundraiser will be to help raise essential funds for the charity Teenage Cancer Trust.

The opening night for the big Christmas light switch on will be Sunday December 5 from 5:30pm

The Christmas light displays outside Liam’s house is a cause very close to his heart as it used to be an annual event hosted by his grandfather to help spread Christmas cheer during the festive season.

However, Liam’s Papa was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and unfortunately died, and the family decided to do one last light display in his memory in which they raised over £2,000 for a cancer charity.

When Liam got diagnosed with cancer in 2020, the Howell family decided that they should get the light display back up and running and this time to fundraise for the Teenage Cancer Trust as the charity supported Liam through his own tough time with cancer.

Liam during his recovery

Liam and family are hoping to raise over £2,000 to support Teenage Cancer Trust and their vital services for young people with cancer by asking for public donations after they have come to see the magnificent light display outside their home.

Liam was at University in London in 2020 when he started to become unwell, he was told that the lump he found was an ear infection and after going back and forth a few times he was finally diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in October 2020, whilst back at university.

The event was started by Liam's Papa who sadly passed away due to cancer.

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Liam started treatment at Treslike Hospital in Truro and underwent gruelling chemotherapy treatment.  

Liam said: "Teenage Cancer Trust helped me feel supported throughout my cancer treatment and I feel as though I would’ve had a harder journey without their support in making me feel as comfortable as possible.

"It is the little things they do to support that make such a difference.

"The Christmas lights are a chance for my family to come together and bring some light into other people’s lives who may be struggling over the festive period.

"The lights symbolise solidarity and unity in my family as they all came together to help me through my treatment.

Liam's Papa started the Christmas lights tradition

“Bringing the lights back after 7 years is something I want to do as last Christmas I was amid having Chemotherapy and meant I was really unwell and not with my family around the holiday season.

"This year I want it to be bigger and better than ever and what better charity than Teenage Cancer Trust to raise money for this time around!"

Liam and family are hoping to raise over £2,000 for the charity

The Christmas Light Display will be turned on from 5:30pm on Sunday December 5 and the public can go and watch this as well as being able to purchase mince pies and hot refreshments – all proceeds from this will also go to Teenage Cancer Trust.

You can also check out Liam’s Just Giving page: Howell Family is fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust (justgiving.com).