See Sunderland estate's incredible Snowman themed window display

Residents from Hornbeam on the Biddick Woods estate in Shiney Row have created their own Fenwick-inspired Christmas window display based on the story of The Snowman.

Each household took a scene from the story and decorated the windows of their homes in the hope of raising funds for The People’s Kitchen, a charity supporting hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people across Newcastle.

The series of windows are illuminated from 4pm to 6pm every Saturday until Christmas, with people invited to come along to see the windows and make a donation to the cause.

More than 100 people have already visited the estate to see the windows during its first weekend, raising £230 for the charity.

Resident Paul Merton, 62, said: “As neighbours, we have got to know each other so much better since the first lockdown started in March.

"We have been supporting each other and looking out for each other throughout.

“As a result, we came up with the idea of doing something together to make Christmas 2020 a high point, rather than the dismal prospect it otherwise might be.

“Then we heard about Fenwick’s challenge to match their famous window by creating our own special front windows.

“We decided to tell The Snowman story around the windows and advertise it locally on our Biddick Woods estate for people to visit to see our windows on the three Saturdays before Christmas – socially distanced, of course!

"Then we had the idea of also raising money for a charity and, having supported The People’s Kitchen in Newcastle before, my wife and I suggested this as a great cause.”

The estate have entered the Fenwick’s window competition which asked people to create their own festive window display for the chance to win a £1,000 Fenwick gift card.

The People’s Kitchen trustee, Michael Spriggs said: "We are always amazed at the generosity of the North East public and the ways that they help to raise funds for us.

“The Snowman window displays are wonderful and as well as giving a bit of Christmas cheer to local residents they are helping to make a real difference to people's lives this winter.

"We are very grateful."

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