Harwood Rise in Woolton Hill prepares for its annual Christmas lights charity fundraising event on Saturday, December 16

One road in Woolton Hill is gearing up for its annual Christmas celebration this weekend.

Since 2021, several families in Harwood Rise have got together to decorate their homes with festive lights and host a community event to raise money for charity.

This year, the Harwood Rise Christmas lights fundraising event is taking place this Saturday (December 16) between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, and it will feature children’s activities, a performance from the Watership Brass Band and catering from fish and chip specialists Cods & Rockers.

The event is also linked to the Christmas tractor run, which will see several lit up tractors passing through North Hampshire villages such as Highclere, Burghclere, Penwood and Woolton Hill.

A few of the tractors will park up at the Harwood Rise event at around 6pm so people can get a closer look.

Luke and Jenny Graham live in Harwood Rise with their 12-year-old son Alfie and they helped organise this year’s event.

Mrs Graham said: “The charity changes each year and this year we have chosen to support the Children’s Ward and Charlie’s Day Unit at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

“We have chosen this good cause because of the care that they gave to Alfie when he was in for 5 days in June and diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome.

“We were so grateful for their care of Alfie and also know that many families in our community have had to draw on their services and care and many more will need their support in the years to come.

“We felt they were a great cause to support this year through our fundraising efforts.”

No parking is available at the event, so those that wish to attend need to either walk to Harwood Rise or use the Woolton Hill Junior School car park.