Christmas lights raise £13,000 for charity

For the past 22 years, Mick and Norma Gale have been going the extra mile to bring festive cheer to their neighbours by adorning their home with thousands of Christmas lights.

But this year's big switch-on will be extra special for the Gales after they received a message of thanks from the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC).

It calculated that Mr and Mrs Gale had raised more than £13,000 since they began fundraising 18 years ago - all donated by visitors to "Santa's Garden" at the property in Worcestershire.

"We never knew exactly how much we'd raised until the other night," said Mr Gale. "It's brilliant."

As well as the lights - Mr Gale said it would be difficult to know exactly how many, but it was "several thousand" - the garden contains more than a dozen inflatable decorations.

"I've got an 8ft penguin, I've got a nodding reindeer which lies on the floor and nods his head," he said.

"There's a snowman, and Santa too."

Mr Gale said it took him and his wife three or four weeks to get the decorations up, "doing a little bit each day".

And for the Gales, the cause is worth it.

"[MAAC is] an essential service," said Mr Gale. "They don't get government funding and you never know when you'll want it.

"It saves lives, and they should have all the support they can."

MAAC said the Gales' support had helped fund dozens of lifesaving missions.

"We can't thank them enough for their ongoing commitment to our cause, and wish them and everyone who has donated a very merry Christmas," said the charity's Diane Thomson.

Mr Gale said Santa's Garden did more than raise money for charity.

"It brings joy to people," he explained.

Santa's Garden will be switched on at 66 Christine Avenue in Rushwick at 17:30 GMT on Saturday.

It can then be visited between 17:30 and 21:00 GMT every day until 28 December - including Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

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