Hadfield family create spine-chilling fun for charity

The Morris family in Hadfield has once again delighted the community with their annual Halloween attraction, transforming their home into a spooky trail - all in aid of local charity Crossroads Derbyshire. 

Following last year’s event, which welcomed over 800 visitors, the 2025 event – themed as ‘Pirates of the Hallow’een’ - added even more spine-chilling attractions for its sixth year. 

Last weekend visitors were treated to a haunted castle complete with animated characters such as a vampire, werewolf and mummy, a creepy carnival full of clowns, a sinister spider lair, a witches’ lair, swamp shack, pirate ship, cemetery, pumpkin patch and dungeon.  

The trail also featured interactive elements like the Singing Pumpkins, which entertained younger visitors with jokes and songs. Organisers Helen and Hugh Morris designed the trail to be spooky but not gory, and included a quiet hour on Friday for families with little ones. The walkthrough was made one-way this year, making it more accessible and cutting down on queues.  

Special guests added extra excitement, with Van Helsing, The Wolfman and Captain Jack Sparrow all appearing each night. Every child attending received a treat bag, and many visitors donned Halloween costumes, adding to the spooky atmosphere.  

The event raised funds for Crossroads Derbyshire, a domestic abuse charity supporting adults, young people, and children across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales. The charity provides outreach, counselling, emergency accommodation, and a specialist refuge, The Harmony Project, for young women and their children. Donations also support one-to-one and group support focused on healthy relationships, self-esteem, and safety.  

This year saw an incredible 927 visitors, and the total raised so far stands at £1,001.97. Thanks to match funding from the Morris family’s employer Gallagher, who will match up to £750 in charitable giving, the total is expected to reach around £1,750.  

Hugh and Helen spend a week putting the event together and Helen told us: “We’re so grateful to everyone who came along and donated. It’s wonderful to see the community come together, and every penny goes to a brilliant cause helping families across the High Peak.”  

Donations can still be made to Crossroads Derbyshire at:  www.justgiving.com/page/helen-morris

For more photos visit: www.notreallyheregroup.photo