Cornwall Couple’s Halloween Display Supports Mental Health Charity

Ed and Ryan Hankins-Smith, a couple residing in Falmouth, Cornwall, have transformed their Halloween decorations into a fundraising initiative for a cause they deeply care about. Following last year’s spooky setup, they opted to make their display “bigger and better.” The extensive collection of decorative items, which includes animatronics and a giant spider, necessitated the construction of a shed for storage. They chose to leverage the Halloween festivities to collect donations for Man Down, a charity dedicated to men’s mental health. Ed explained his motivation, stating: “We thought why not do it for charity and let it mean something.” He added, “It is something personal to me, being a man who has suffered with mental health before. I know how important it is for charities like this to stay afloat and not fade out.” Ryan mentioned that he and Ed had “always been over the top” with Christmas decorations, but their enthusiasm for Halloween developed from a modest start with only two inflatable pumpkins several years prior. Last year, the couple’s display attracted over 200 visitors, and they anticipate approximately 300 attendees this year. According to Ryan, this expectation has led to the acquisition of more than 1,000 sweets. For updates, follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.