A MAN has built a huge Christmas light display to raise money for terminally-ill children as part of a tradition his parents started over 20 years ago.

Peter Finch, 37 and an ex-PC engineer, creates most of his lights by hand to create a ‘unique’ display that is programmed to change colour.

He arranges the rainbow lights to raise money for Amelia’s Rainbow, a charity supporting children in Dorset with terminal, life-limiting, serious and chronic illnesses.

His parents, Peter and Tanya Finch, featured in the Echo for their Christmas display in 2001 with their three children, Peter, Jessica and Stacey.

Bournemouth Echo: Peter Finch senior, Tanya Finch, Peter Finch jr, Jessica Finch and Stacey Finch

“My parents have done it ever since I was young and had one of the biggest displays in the area,” said Peter.

“I started off by inheriting some lights from them and have just built on them each year.

“The snowmen on the side of the house is one of their original ones that are left and still going from many years ago.

“They were also in the Echo with me when I was in my teens and I always wanted to be the next big display.”

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Peter, who is now a forklift driver at a construction site, added that due to his Asperger’s he is ‘very creative natured and prefers to build the lights rather than buy’.

Bournemouth Echo: Peter Finch jr, Kylie Finch, 35, Jade Finch, 17, and Ryan Finch 12

Peter, his wife Kylie and his two children Jade and Ryan, have been fitting the lights for 10 years and said they began by following in Peter’s parents’ footsteps by raising funds for the baby care unit at Poole Hospital.

In recent years they have been fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, a cause close to their hearts after Peter’s nan and Kylie’s brother-in-law both passed away.

“They [the British Heart Foundation] helped them so much and we just wanted to give something back,” said Peter.

“This year we are doing Amelia’s Rainbow as they have helped children who have later become students at the college my wife works at and they are also currently helping friends of ours who are going through a real hard time with their little one.”

Bournemouth Echo: Peter Finch junior's display

The dazzling light display raises between £100 to £200 each year for the chosen charities.

“People always stop and stare at the lights for a moment,” said Peter.

“We have some people who drive around to view the lights and the neighbours have all been very supportive, commenting on how nice the display is looking this year.

“The children love to run alongside the chasing lights on the fence and seeing all the patterns the lights produce.”

Peter’s display can be seen at Aldis Gardens in Hamworthy, Poole, and donations can be made on his Just Giving page titled ‘The Finch Christmas light display’s fundraiser for Amelia’s Rainbow’.