A FUNDRAISER is bringing festive cheer to Colchester General Hospital in tribute to her late husband.

Mary Allen started Operation Twinkle when she noticed the courtyards at the hospital looked bare.

Her husband Richard spent several Christmases at the hospital.

Gazette:

Mrs Allen, from Great Oakley, is spreading some joy by decorating the spaces with Christmas lights.

She said: “It started off by asking if we could have a few solar lights, but when we realised we could have electricity outside I had visions of hundreds of fairy lights and reindeer.

“Last year, we illuminated three courtyards and this year we have done four and they look spectacular.

“It is important to remember it is Christmas for patients too. They do not stop being ill because everyone else is having fun.

“I promised Richard I would get a tree which stands decorated with lights and this year we have managed to do that.”

Mrs Allen collects money at the hospital at weekends with her friends and family.

Richard suffered a stroke in 2007 and died of pneumonia in May this year.

Mrs Allen said: “He was a brilliant man. He stayed positive throughout his illness, even though his speech and his ability to swallow started to deteriorate.”

The project raised £900 at an event at the Mogul restaurant, in Manningtree, on Sunday.

You can send donations to Operation Twinkle, Colchester Hospital Charities, Villa 10, Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL.