MORE than 100 people – including the Grinch – turned out for the switch-on of a spectacular Christmas lights display in Musselburgh.
The Dougals’ house at 35 Pinkie Avenue lit up for the festive season, as it has done for more than three decades, thanks to the continuing efforts of the family who live there.
This year, the display is raising funds to support the work of the Marie Curie charity and the £500 target has already been smashed.
More than £800 has been raised so far, with more than £140 collected on the night.
“It’s been just amazing,” said dad-of-three Mark Dougal, 31.
The family also handed out 100 selection boxes and five boxes of cakes to spectators.
Mark said that his mum Lynn McLean and dad Andrew Dougal first started the display at the family home 33 years ago when Lynn bought a Santa and snowman decoration.
Although the Santa has since been broken, the original snowman still forms part of the illuminations, which have been added to over the years to ensure a “bigger and better” display for local residents.
Lynn and Andrew live in the house, along with their daughter Claire, 28, and her boyfriend Robin Bertram. Lynn and Andrew’s eldest son Leigh, 33, also helps with the annual display.
Mark said it was hoped that the Christmas lights would raise £500 for Marie Curie, which was a charity close to their hearts. His mum was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last December, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.
He said: “She has been through an entire year of hell.
“In October 2023, mum and the rest of us got the best news ever: mum beat cancer!
“We would love to use our Christmas light display as a way to try to raise some funds to give back to Marie Curie nurses at the Western General Hospital for all their outstanding support they gave our mum.
“Any donation would be hugely appreciated. We as a family will be forever grateful.”
Lynn’s older brother, who died a few years ago, also received help from the charity.
Mark said that the family were keen to create some festive fun and raise funds for a charity which had “a big part to play” in supporting cancer patients.
The Christmas lights display is on from 5pm to 9pm each evening throughout December.
“I love to see the excitement on the children’s faces when they see the display and we get lots of compliments about it,” said Mark, who, along with friends, also organises a bonfire and fireworks display for Guy Fawkes Night in the Pinkie area each year.
Go to tinyurl.com/yjwz2xnz to support the family’s Christmas appeal in aid of Marie Curie.
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