By Lesley Walsh
A HOLLYWOOD blockbuster has inspired a Ballyhalbert couple to host a special festive fundraiser for a cause very close to their hearts.
James and Chrissy McClelland have festooned their Moatlands home in a blaze of Christmas lights and decorations to raise money for Autism NI – in the tradition of the blockbuster movie Deck the Halls.
The madcap comedy Christmas film features a battle of festive decorations between neighbours whose attempts to outdo each other nearly ends in disaster. The 2006 film stars Matthew Broderick, opposite Danny DeVito, who aims to deck his house in so many lights that it’s visible from space.
James quipped that while he ‘might try that in the near future’ he’s content this year to be visible to just neighbours and passersby in the Ballyhalbert and surrounding areas, in their bid to raise ‘as much money as possible for Autism NI’.
Selecting the charity as beneficiaries because his own two children live with autism, James switched on the lights on November 1st and has already raised over £300 due to the generosity of the local community.
“We don’t have a target but we hope to raise as much money as possible and we’ll be turning the lights on every night from 6pm to 9pm for the fundraising until Christmas day.”
“It’s all over social media and there is a QR code that people can go on to, to donate to Autism NI via Just Giving.”
He said his neighbours ‘think we are mad but it’s all for a good cause and we chose Autism NI because we have two children with autism so we thought it would be a great way to raise money’.
Alongside the QR code on social media, James said fundraising buckets have also been set outside for admirers passing by to donate whatever cash they can to the noble cause.
“We have always been Christmas crazy but it’s the first time we’ve done this to raise money, and I try to go bigger and better every year and I even managed to buy a small sleigh,” he said.
He joked that like the film inspiring his fundraising effort, he will be ‘keeping an eye on the competition’ especially one neighbour in particular who put on a pretty spectacular Halloween display this year.
