Home News Derek Highe celebrates a spectacular finale, raising £11,881 for The Kirkwood

3 Feb 2025 Community

Derek Highe celebrates a spectacular finale, raising £11,881 for The Kirkwood

Derek Highe of Robin Royd, Mirfield has been illuminating lives for the last two decades, transforming his Mirfield home into a dazzling winter wonderland, captivating the hearts and imaginations of his community. Raising a phenomenal amount towards The Kirkwood over his 23 years of fundraising, this year Derek’s Robin Royd Lights raised a total of £11,881.

Last November Derek announced that his 2024 Robin Royd Lights display would be the last, sharing the news in a heartfelt message to his supporters on social media.

"It has been a pleasure to create such a magical tradition that I know so many of you will miss. I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated so generously over the past 23 years raising money mainly for the incredible Kirkwood.

"I would again like to say a massive thank you to all those involved with creating the lights over the years, you know who you are, and I couldn’t have done it without you."

Receiving wonderful feedback and well-wishes from visitors and supporters:



Derek began transforming his Mirfield home into a dazzling winter wonderland, captivating the hearts and imaginations of his community back in 2002. Initially, intended to make Christmas extra special for his children, his festive display grew in popularity, and following the death of a close friend, Derek utilised his display to fundraise for good causes.

For the first couple of years, Derek raised money for Cancer Research UK and helped fundraise for a Disneyland trip for a young local boy called Zack, who had been diagnosed with cancer. Since then, Derek has donated all the money he’s raised to The Kirkwood. In an interview from 2019, Derek said:

“Everyone knows someone who has been affected by a life limiting illness. There is never a bad word said about The Kirkwood, and I wanted to give something back."

Derek's extraordinary contributions have been recognised with numerous awards over the years, including the Pulse 1 and Pulse 2 Local Hero Award for Contribution to Charity and the MyMirfield Award for Best Community Event or Attraction.



"I love the fact people come and see the lights, and it brings a smile to their faces. I find it very humbling that some people have come every year as part of their Christmas tradition. 

"It would take six weeks to put the display together, and it's hard work, but when children walk past, and they smile when they see my creation, it made it all worthwhile."

Catching the attention of the local media, both the BBC Look North and ITV Calendar attended Derek lights switch on, joining the crowds of supporters that had gathered to witness Robin Royd Lights switch on for the final time.
 

 

Among the crowds were The Kirkwood CEO, Michael Crowther, who commented:

“Over the past two decades, Derek has raised a staggering amount to help fund The Kirkwood's vital work. Raising an astounding total of £93,871.37 over his 23 years of Robin Royd Lights.

“Derek's amazing achievement serves as a reminder of the power of individual action and the importance of community support. We are very grateful for Derek's support and for his 23 years of festive magic and unwavering support for The Kirkwood, and although the lights have been switched off for the final time, the spirit of giving he’s ignited will continue to shine brightly among our supporters”.

Earlier this year we invited Derek to join us at our community coffee morning at the hospice to present him with his cheque and share the grand total of his 23 year festive light campaign.



Following the event Derek took to social media to share his thanks to all that have helped him achieve this wonderful accomplishment.

“What a truly mind-blowing amount. Thank you all so much!

As most of you know, after 23 years, this was the last ever display. I can’t even start to name everyone who has helped to put on the displays each and every year, you can all be so proud of what we have achieved together.

“I hope the memories and magic we have created will stay with you all forever. Thank you all for supporting us, this would never have been possible without you all donating towards a grand total of £93,871.37 over the 23 years. Truly amazing!!

Derek & the team x”

If you’ve been inspired by Derek and his story or affected by the recent update from The Kirkwood and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you. You can contact us via email at: marketing@thekirkwood.org.uk and by telephone: 01484 557 908.


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