Car enthusiasts to put on light display for patients at Sheffield hospitals close to Christmas

Organisers Connor Elliott, 19, from Woodhouse and his best friend Danny Longmore, from Hillsborough, came up with the idea for a drive-in meet up, where local drivers can stop their cars outside hospitals over Sheffield and then switch on their underglow lights for patients to enjoy.

The mass car convoy on Wednesday, December 23 will start from Smithy Wood Business Park, just off the M1 in Chapeltown at around 6pm and drivers will then stop outside

the Northern General Hospital, Hallamshire Hospital and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

So far, 23 people have said they intend to go to the ‘Sheffield NHS Drive-In Meet and Mass Underglow’ event on Facebook, while 100 others have listed their interest.

“It is for everyone really to bring some festive spirit back to Sheffield”, Connor said.

"We are hoping it brings patients that bit of cheer because if you are spending Christmas in hospital, it's not only going to upset you because you are not at home with your family, at the minute you are only allowed certain family members to come and visit you if you are in Children's.

"If you are in Northern or Hallamshire, then I don't think you are allowed anyone to come and visit you to try and minimise the amount of people in and out of the hospital.

"Basically, in theory, you are by yourself at Christmas."

The bestfriends who run the ‘Lighting Scene UK’ Facebook group, both have a personal connection to Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Danny spent the majority of his younger life in the hospital due to severe arthritis, while Connor’s close childhood friend who has now passed away, was also treated for a muscle development condition there.

"He was stuck in there for the majority of Christmas and birthdays - we both have our birthdays on December 22 so it is coming up to his 20th birthday and I thought I need to do something a little bit special”, Connor added.

The 19-year-old hopes the Christmas convoy will become an annual event, with plans to have charity buckets and residents lining the street next year.

Connor claims South Yorkshire Police have been notified.

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