A DOWNEND teenager is aiming to pass a fundraising milestone with his eighth annual Christmas lights display.
Jake Skinner, 18, has set a target of £3,000 in donations for the display on his home in Sutherland Avenue, to take his total for Macmillan Cancer Support past £25,000.
This year’s display includes “hundreds of thousands” of individual LEDs and bulbs, with new additions including a 9ft snowman and a 7ft penguin and tree.
Jake, who is an apprentice for local electrician Mark Evans, and four helpers worked over four weekends to have the display ready for its opening night on November 28, which was attended by around 250 people.
The display will be open every night until December 28, from 5-8pm.
Jake started the display in 2018 in memory of his sister Stacie, who died suddenly on Christmas Day 2015 after suffering an anaphylactic shock.
Macmillan Cancer Support helped his nan when she had cancer, before she passed away in 2021.
Jake raised £2,800 with his previous display and had passed £1,800 in donations this time around, as the Voice went to print.
Donations can be made online at justgiving.com/page/jakeschristmaslights.
Macmillan Cancer Support relationship fundraising manager Nyree Ashby said: “Jake continues to be an outstanding supporter of Macmillan, and the impact of his fundraising over the years has been remarkable.
“His Christmas display isn’t just a festive highlight for the region – it directly helps us provide essential support to people living with cancer across the UK through our Support Line, website, Online Community and Macmillan Centres.
“We’re deeply grateful to Jake, his family, and everyone who donates. Their generosity ensures we can continue doing whatever it takes to help everyone with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.”