A DOWNEND teenager whose Christmas lights display raises money in memory of his sister has beaten his latest fundraising target.
Jake Skinner, aged 18, aimed to raise £3,000 over Christmas for Macmillan Cancer Support, to take the total he has raised in eight years past £25,000.
However the total he has raised this year is £3,525, which included £500 in cash from a mystery donor.
Jake started the display in 2018 in memory of his sister Stacie, who died suddenly on Christmas Day 2015 after suffering an anaphylactic shock.
Stacie used to decorate her work desk with Christmas lights and when her colleagues gave them back to the family, Jake was inspired to start a display of his own for charity.
He chose Macmillan Cancer Support in recognition of the help it gave his nan when she had cancer, before she passed away in 2021.
Jake said: “Thank you to everyone who donated, and to everyone who came and visited us.
“The target was £3,000, so to get that and more this year was great.
“We had a slow start because of the weather but the week leading up to Christmas was very busy and we had a lot of donations.”
Most donations were made online via JustGiving but visitors also donated cash, including one anonymous supporter who handed over an envelope containing £500.
Jake said: “It’s the biggest single donation we’ve ever had.
“He didn’t leave a name, so it was quite strange but brilliant.”
Many families visit the display in Sutherland Avenue every year, and Jake recognised some familiar faces over the four weeks the lights were on.
It was taken down over three days at the end of December and Jake, who is an apprentice for local electrician Mark Evans, already has some ideas for later this year.
Macmillan Cancer Support relationship fundraising manager Nyree Ashby said: “What makes Jake’s Christmas display so special is the incredible sense of community around it.
“Year after year, family, friends and neighbours all come together to support him, creating something that’s about far more than festive lights – it’s about people rallying around a cause that matters.
“It’s such a rare and inspiring thing to see someone so young show this level of dedication and commitment, and the impact of Jake’s fundraising over the years has been truly remarkable.
“We’re deeply grateful to Jake, his family and everyone who gets involved or donates.
“Thanks to their generosity, we can continue providing vital support to people living with cancer across the UK through our Support Line, website, Online Community and Macmillan Centres.”