A DUMFRIESSHIRE family of Santa fans are back fundraising this year for two charities.
Andy and Lynn Ross go all out when decorating their Queensberry Brae home in Thornhill for Christmas to raise money for charity.
Their colourful lights and inflatables draw visitors from across the region every festive season with onlookers making donations in return.
With the first switch-on of the 2024 display happening on Sunday at 5.15 pm, the Ross’ have revealed that this year they will be raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity and the South West Scotland Schools Pipe and Drums Academy. Both groups have a personal significance for the Ross’s as their daughter Skye plays for the pipe band and Andy is watch commander at Thornhill Fire Station.
The fundraiser will also serve as a tribute to his friend, he explained: “On the 14th of Dec 2021 an old school friend contacted us to deliver the devastating news that our mutual friend and colleague Colin Speight had sadly taken his own life.
“I first met Colin in October 2003 when we joined the fire service, we met up for training at the Scottish Fire Services College in Gullane and hit it off from that point and remained good friends ever since.
In memory of Colin we have decided to raise money this year for The Fire Fighters Charity who work wonders for firefighters past and present and also extend their facilities to family members of those firefighters.
“The Firefighters Charity have worked closely with Colin’s work colleagues in a bid to see them through the hard time that comes around every year towards the anniversary of his passing.”
The family have set themselves a £500 target this year and donations can be made to their just giving page by visiting: www.justgiving.com and searching ‘Lynn Ross’.
