Christmas fundraisers light up Scotland's streets

Every year, in December, Christmas lights are put up in homes across Scotland but some communities take it a step further and coordinate their festive efforts.

Christmas light switch-ons and street displays are one way that people are coming together.

And some Scots, like Dave Travers in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, also use the season to fundraise for local charities.

Mr Travers, or as he is known in the local area, Mr Christmas, has raised about £7,000 for Cash for Kid's Mission Christmas in six years.

This year, Mr Travers is also fundraising for Debra, a charity for people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa - a rare skin-blistering condition.

Mr Travers said he always fundraises for Mission Christmas, who give gifts to children facing poverty, as it is a cause close to his heart.

"I feel very lucky and privileged to stay where I stay and my son will never need to want for pretty much anything," he said.

"I think its really important that he understands that not all families have what we have."

In South Lanarkshire, Margaret Nelson has paid thousands of pounds for the entire row of homes on Candymill Road, Biggar, to be covered in lights every year since 2020.

She also has a free Santa's Grotto which is run by her family every Friday and Saturday.

"We had a holiday cancelled due to Covid so I just had to find something to spend the money on," Ms Nelson said.

This year's display is her biggest so far but Ms Nelson still has to reach her fundraising goal.

Ms Nelson said: "It's for the Children's First charity, because Christmas is for kids.

"But I'm a big kid and I love Christmas.

"It makes you determined to do more, the feedback and the comments from adults, and kids faces lighting up is amazing.

"That's why we do it, the kids are great," Ms Nelson said.

In East Renfrewshire, Clare Smith and her neighbours at Lavender Drive in Newton Mearns have raised more than £40,000 with their light display since 2020.

The project originally started to cheer up a neighbour who had bowel cancer but the tradition has continued for three years with almost all residents getting involved.

"We've created such a tight-knit community, you don't get that a lot anymore," Ms Smith said.

They have raised over £3,184 this year alone, with donations split between ACCORD Hospice and Young Lives vs Cancer.

"We felt lots of charities are struggling this year and deserved support," Ms Smith said.

"The whole cul-de-sac have had their part to play," said resident, Tracy McKissock.

"It's just so lovely to see everyone coming to our area.

"It has grown over the years and now people come from far and wide," she said.

"You hear all the kids screaming with excitement and laughter, it's bringing the spirit of Christmas back to the community," Ms McKissock said.