Neighbours have intervened and decided to chip in some cash to a dad who couldn't afford to put on his normal lavish display of Christmas lights this year.
Iain Nicol is famed in Merseyside for his elaborate Christmas lights.
He began putting them up for Christmas 20 years ago in a light-hearted contest with his father-in-law to see who could bring the most festive cheer.
READ MORE: Grim Christmas baubles filled with blood, urine and semen on display in UK town centre
Since then the light show has grown and grown but so too have the bills and, this year with record energy costs, Ian could only afford to put the lights on for an hour a day.
His son Paul told the Liverpool Echo his dad felt like "he had let everyone down".
"This year he could not afford to do it and I think he was more upset for other people. This year was the first time he could not do it.
"He had cancer a few years ago and he still did it, nothing has really stopped him before. He was sad for the community as people love it and families bring their children by every year, it has become an event for people, they are famous on the street."
That was until one of Paul's friends walked to the house and cast his eye on the usual spectacle but was "gutted" to see the lights were switched off, even offering to give Paul money so his dad could turn them on.
On Monday (December 5), Paul and his brother decided to set up a GoFundMe to help pay for energy bills so the lights could be switched on over Christmas
In just a day they had already surpassed their £400 target.
Paul said: "He was happy when we told him that we can switch the Christmas lights back on and put some smiles on people's faces again. If there is anything left over we are going to donate to a local food bank."
READ NEXT:
- Amanda Holden dances on Santa's lap in skimpy festive skirt as 'he loves it'
- Mum forced to choose which kids get Christmas presents as cost of living crisis hits
- Top practical presents university students will ask for this Christmas
- Love Island's Amy Hart shares sweet loved-up snaps from romantic 'babymoon' getaway
- Roast potatoes voted the best part of a Christmas dinner
Source: Read Full Article
