Last year, Richard Iles, a homeowner in Winterbourne Down near Bristol, decorated his house with more than 150,000 Christmas lights, raising over £15,000 in aid of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
For Christmas 2025, Richard is taking the display to an extraordinary new level—adding a further 85,000 lights, creating what is expected to be the largest, or certainly one of the largest, domestic Christmas light displays in the UK.
Richard, who travels to Normandy each year for the D-Day commemorations, has become very familiar with the Taxi Charity and its work supporting veterans and was thrilled to attend their veteran’s Christmas lunch in 2024. Inspired by their dedication to helping veterans of all ages, including those who served on D-Day, he is proud to use his extraordinary Christmas display once again to raise vital funds in aid of the charity.
Richard Iles said: “A display of this scale simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support around us. Our sponsors are unbelievably generous year after year, and I can’t thank them enough for helping us make this vision a reality. I’m also hugely grateful to my incredible father-in-law, who works tirelessly alongside me, often in the cold and rain, late into the night, to build, test and perfect every part of the display. His dedication is what brings these lights to life, and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together. Supporting the Taxi Charity means a great deal to me; their unwavering commitment to veterans, is inspiring, and I’m honoured to play a small part in helping them continue that vital work.”
Paul Cook, Vice Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “As a small, niche charity that is wholly reliant on donations, we are incredibly grateful to Rich for choosing to support the Taxi Charity again in 2025. The effort that goes into creating this spectacular display is truly Herculean, and we can’t wait to witness the big switch-on.”
The official switch-on will take place at: 58 Church Road, Winterbourne Down, Bristol, BS36 1BY at 6pm on Saturday 29th November.
The display will remain illuminated 24 hours a day until Twelfth Night.
Richard is fundraising in aid of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and donations can be made via his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/richard-iles-4
About the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans
The Taxi Charity is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans since 1948. It is the only Forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment and arranges free trips (for veterans from all conflicts) to the Netherlands and France for acts of commemoration and days out to museums, concerts, or social events across the UK.
The charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023, a remarkable milestone for a small, niche charity peopled by enthusiastic volunteers.
To fund and facilitate their work, the charity is wholly reliant on donations, grants and sponsorship.
