BIG-hearted neighbours with a love of festive illuminations are pulling out all the stops to put on a stunning Christmas lights display and raise cash for Teesdale’s YMCA.
Mike Dack, 37, from Stainmore Close, in Startforth, is well known locally for the cheerful lighting decorations that adorn his front garden at Christmas.
Year on year, he has added to the collection and is delighted that children and families take pleasure in his displays.
He said: “Each year it gets bigger and bigger and we get lots of families and kids coming along to have a look. This year I thought I would make the most of it and raise some money for a children’s charity.
“I thought of the YMCA as they did have a community centre in Barnard Castle but it had to close because of lack of funding.”
Mr Dack, who works nightshifts at a special educational needs boarding school in Thirsk, enlisted the help of his neighbours – Lynn Adamson and her daughter Joanne
Underwood and Natalie Priestly – who are just as enthusiastic about Christmas lights.
He added: “Each year we’ve all added to our collections and I seem to get earlier each year putting it up. I started at the beginning of October this year as working nightshifts means it takes me a bit of time.”
Alongside illuminated model snowmen and Santa, there are candy canes, icicles hanging from trees, snowballs and a projector display that gives the impression of falling snow.
Mr Dack has installed a motion-sensor camera on the charity box in his front garden alongside a QR code that visitors can scan with their mobile phones to make a donation.
He said: “We’ve already had quite a few people coming up already making donations and it’s really all about the kids. The YMCA do a lot to help children, especially dealing with mental health.”
Neighbours Miss Underwood and Ms Adamson have yet to set out their display, which will feature a six feet tall inflatable Christmas tree with presents and over-sized candy canes, but they are hoping to improve on their second placing in the annual Startforth Sparkle contest when it’s complete. The competition is open to all parish residents with prizes of £50, £30 and £20. All entrants need to register by emailing clerk@startforthparishcoun
cil.org. Displays will be judged after December 6 by the Mercury’s editor, Trevor Brookes.
Mr Dack said: “In all the years I’ve been putting the lights up I haven’t won, but it’s not about the prize it’s about bringing a little bit of cheer to everyone and the look on the kids faces is reward enough and I recommend everyone have a wander over and take a look.”
