Couple's extravagant Christmas lights are helping raise money for HIV/Aids awareness

Pip and Glenys Diebelius welcomed 50 neighbours and intrigued strangers to their home, as well as Colchester MP Will Quince, for the big switch-on.

More than £100 was raised for the Terrence Higgins Trust and for anyone who comes to marvel at the festive-themed display, there will be special envelopes for extra donations.

This festive period head to Glisson Square in Shrub End, Colchester and check out these lights. I had the pleasure of turning them on this evening. If you go, please make a donation to the @THTorguk (the family’s chosen charity for this year) @TheGazette pic.twitter.com/H44n4LjLs3

— Will Quince MP (@willquince) December 2, 2017

Glenys, of Glisson Square, in Colchester, said: “They’ve taken over the whole house and starting to creep over to our neighbour, but they’re happy to share in the limelight.

“We both love it and now we’re actually raising money, there’s a feel-good factor as well.

“It was a huge honour for Will Quince to do the switch-on. He got quite excited when we asked him and was over the moon to do it.

“Normally Pip will just turn the lights on from inside the house so he had to modify it for Will to have something to physically switch on.”

Last year, the lights, which are on from 4pm until 10pm each day, helped fundraise for Poppy’s Place animal rescue.

But having lost a relative to Aids and as a former buddy for the Terrence Higgins Trust in London, the charity is dear to Glenys’ heart.

The mum-of-three said: “I would help them in their last few months to make sure their life was as comfortable as possible.

“It was much harder than I thought it would be because I’d get close to a person, and then they’d die.

“Twenty years ago when I was doing that role, scientists were just starting to look at drugs so it was more about palliative care.

“With my cousin also dying from Aids, it’s something I’ve campaigned about for a long time.

“It’s such a shame there’s so much stigma and ill-advised people with regards to the illness.”

🎄 There was a real sense of community in Shrub End tonight as our neighbours over in Glisson Square switched on their annual Christmas lights display. Terrific to have support from #Colchester MP @willquince too. pic.twitter.com/vFn7TiHYEu

— Joff Hopkins (@JoffHopkins) December 2, 2017

Red ribbons were on sale at the switch-on, which coincided with an evening of events for World Aids Day.

She added: “I think it’s amazing Colchester joined in with the See Red campaign this year.

“When I was growing up, HIV had just come about so there was lots of information which I don’t think is publicised as well now so lots of youngsters are becoming complacent.

“Everyone still thinks it’s a gay disease. They don’t realise they need to protect themselves.”

You can visit the Shrub End Christmas lights until January 6.