Scott Murphy visits the haunted house that gives its victims, erm visitors, big scares. But it’s all for a good cause...
There are plenty of spooky goings on at a house in Wrexham, but it’s all for a good cause.
Paula and Dave Pritchard have been transforming their Salop Road home into a scary haunted house for the past decade and it proved to be so successful, they decided to turn the hair-raising event into a charity fundraiser, with all donations now being given to Nightingale House Hospice.
Images by Craig Colville
Paula, who works for the hospice, said the charity was a cause close to the hearts of the family and everyone who lives in Wrexham, and that the idea came from a regular visitor to the haunted house, who suggested people would be more than willing to make a donation in appreciation for the hard work that goes in to making the event such a success.
She said: “It initially just started out as a family party, with the decorations attracting attention from passersby, but it just grew year on year and now we have between 500 to 1,000 people coming and the queues are usually going right up the street.
"For the last three years now, we’ve been giving all the donations received to Nightingale House, who I must say, have been so very supportive.”
Paula’s mum, Pauline Evans, lives in the house next door and the creepy crawlies and cobwebs have now extended across both properties and this year, there is a scary maze at the back of both houses, with up to seven different ‘scare zones’ which will be made all the more frightening with the help of 40 volunteer actors, including friends, family, and nurses from Nightingale House.
Pauline said: “We love doing it, and it really brings the community together and at the end of the day, it’s for such a good charity.
“We’ve really gone to great lengths to make this year’s the scariest yet and the actors have even been holding rehearsals!”
The haunted house is fun for all the family, with the front gardens of both properties free for the public to look around, but those wanting to make a donation to the hospice are able to do so in the collection boxes provided, but the scare maze costs £1 per adult, with children under 15 given free entry (if accompanied by an adult).
Pauline Evans among the ghosts and ghouls at Salop Road
There will be plenty of refreshments available on the night too, with stalls being set up in an adjoining car park, including cakes which have been kindly donated by Caffi Cwtch and there will be a raffle, with an array of prizes.
Paula added: “We’re so thankful to all the local businesses who have donated some brilliant prizes this year and tickets will be available to purchase on the night.”
Do you feel brave? The haunted house will be open to the public on Wednesday, October 31, between 5pm-8pm
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