COMMUNITY-minded residents in Stanford-le-Hope have raised an impressive amount of money for a local life-saving charity.

In the run-up to Christmas residents on the Stanford and Maple Park estate in the town once again organised a spectacular lights display that attracted hundreds of visitors to the area to wander through a truly spectacular series of lights and festive displays.

Visitors were asked to make donations and this year the money will be presented to Katie's Heart appeal, which raises funds and awareness within Thurrock of heart-related illnesses and also buys and installs defibrillators which are located at key points in local communities.

This year the collections at the lights display was in excess of £12,000 – leaving Katie's Heart Appeal organiser Charlotte delighted.

She says: "A massive thank-you to all those that donated. As a community we set out to raise just enough money through our Christmas lights to purchase a defibrillator for Stanford/Maple Park but this has been surpassed.

"It was amazing and at times very humbling meeting all the visitors, especially the children.

"We were very quickly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of visitors and the volunteers/ residents stepped up to the challenge.

"As a result of our amazing total raised we are in the process of contacting every single school within Thurrock to see who needs a defibrillator. If your school has not received an email for us please message via our Facebook page to let us know if you have one or not. Thank you.

"We would like to say a huge thank you again to the residents of Stanford Park for holding the Christmas lights event. Thank you to everyone who donated. Thank you to the Rotary Club East Thurrock for coming on our last night with Santa and raised money for us. Also thank you to Thurrock Nub News for your support for another year, and to BBC Essex.

"Also thank-you to everyone who have supported us over the past 10 years with all our fundraising.

"We will keep you updated with where our defibs will be going."