Shylah, Bec, Ryder and Tony ‘Santa’ Joyce at their fabulous Wanderers Lane Christmas lights display, which helped them raise more than $15,000 for The Kids' Cancer Project.
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The coin has been counted and Kialla’s Joyce family’s charity tins jingled all the way home and then some.
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The family, who inspire the community to donate to The Kids’ Cancer Project via their Christmas lights fundraiser each year, not only smashed the previous year’s donation record, but their own much higher fundraising goal for 2024.
In 2023, they aimed for $2000 and ended up with $4862. In 2024, they aimed for $3000, updated it to $12,000 and ended up with a whopping $15,053 in donations.
Not surprising, given the Joyces don’t do anything by halves.
The over-achieving total is in sync with their jaw-dropping light display in Wanderer’s Lane, Kialla, which has been a labour of love for the Joyce family for the past seven years.
For the past two of those, they’ve used the high volume of viewing visitors as an opportunity to raise money for research into curing kids with cancer.
“What began as a simple display with Christmas lights and Santa greeting visitors on Christmas Eve has evolved into a month-long event that brings joy to the entire community,” Tony Joyce said.
“The smiles we’ve seen — on children and adults alike — make every ounce of effort worthwhile.”
Leon McCabe, Shylah Joyce, Chloe McCabe, Bec Joyce, Ryder Joyce, Tony ‘Santa’ Joyce, Lyn McCabe and Joel McCabe in Wanderers Lane, Kialla, where both families put on jaw-dropping Christmas lights displays to raise more than $15,000 in funds for the Joyce Family Christmas Lights Fundraiser to be donated to The Kids’ Cancer Project.
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The money was raised via several channels, including traditional cash donations made with physical cash or through a newly introduced tap-and-go app or online, goods and service donations to be raffled and the ensuing raffle ticket sales, employer contributions and icy pole sales when the lights were on.
Mr Joyce thanked his family, neighbours and friends who helped with his display and fundraising efforts, put up their own displays and characters, and for being patient with getting around their estate during the high volume of traffic in the neighbourhood throughout December.
He also extended thanks to his employer, Rubicon Water, for matching donations from his colleagues, and his colleagues for their donations, along with several other local businesses for their generous donations.
And, of course, to the community members who visited and contributed to the final tally in various ways.
“Thank you all for helping us achieve this incredible milestone,” Mr Joyce said.
“Together, we’ve not only spread holiday cheer but also made a meaningful difference in the fight against childhood cancer.”
The Joyce family’s Christmas lights display grows every year and now their associated fundraiser is gaining momentum as well.
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Rechelle Zammit
Mr Joyce has said his family planned to ramp up their efforts to raise funds for the same charity again this year and hope to go even bigger.
“We are hoping to start a bit earlier with getting some even better prizes for the raffle, as the raffle was pretty much a last-minute thing,” he said.
“I have also had businesses stating that they want to donate towards this year’s raffle.
“Let’s keep this community spirit alive and look forward to an even brighter Christmas this year.”
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