Local couple aim to light up Christmas for NSPCC Northern Ireland with a Lidl help

Local couple aim to light up Christmas for NSPCC Northern Ireland with a Lidl help

A local couple are lighting up their home with a Christmas bonanza display of lights and decorations as they team up with local retailer Lidl Northern Ireland to help raise more than £7,000 for NSPCC Northern Ireland.

Dermot Bradley and his partner Gary Bailie have been decorating their home in Derry with spectacular festive displays for almost a decade and hope to smash their previous fundraising record as they reveal their dazzling Christmas light display for the first time at their brand new home.

Having recently moved to the Brunswick Road area of the city, Dermot and Gary have once again decorated their house from top to bottom in fantastic Christmas lights and decorations with help from local retailer, Lidl Northern Ireland.

Partnering with the retailer as part of its Christmas Lights for Charity campaign, Dermot and Gary are inviting visitors from near and far to enjoy this impressive display to raise vital funds for Lidl Northern Ireland’s charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland by making a donation to the charity buckets located outside their home.

Christmas enthusiast Dermot Bradley said: “We are delighted to partner with Lidl Northern Ireland this year to raise money for NSPCC Northern Ireland. Decorating our home at Christmas just started out as a bit of fun for us, but it has turned into an incredible fundraising initiative which we have now been facilitating for almost a decade.

“We just love Christmas and are thrilled that locals and people from further afield enjoy coming to see our display. We’ve added a few new pieces this year to add a bit of extra sparkle, so we’re hoping that more people than ever come by to visit us and donate to NSPCC Northern Ireland.”

The couple have previously raised funds for local cancer charity ‘Paul’s Campaign’ and Foyle Search and Rescue. They laugh off any competition or ‘friendly rivalry’ with residents at nearby Racecourse Drive – now branded Christmas Drive – who have also been decorating their street to raise funds for charity.

“We have friends who live there actually. We are all raising money for a good cause and people should visit us all to get in the festive spirit, so we can all come together to raise much needed funds for great causes,” said Mr Bradley.

“If you’re in the area, or travelling up to see Derry’s dazzling displays, don’t forget to visit us on Brunswick Road and help us reach our fundraising target to support NSPCC Northern Ireland’s amazing work at a crucial time of year.”

Fundraising

In a partnership spanning four years, Lidl Northern Ireland has raised over £500,000 for NSPCC Northern Ireland, whose mission is to fight for every childhood. NSPCC Northern Ireland supports children across the region and works to prevent abuse, help rebuild children’s lives and support families. The charity also operates Childline bases in Belfast and Foyle.

Angela Connan, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Lidl Northern Ireland said: “Lidl Northern Ireland’s partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland has been hugely successful over the past four years with a wide range of fundraising initiatives taking place across the region.

“We’re thrilled to light up Christmas this year with a fantastic new initiative and to partner with Dermot and Gary who have created a truly spectacular display at their home. With 100% of donations going directly to the charity, this brand-new initiative couldn’t come at a better time, when NSPCC Northern Ireland need funds most as we approach the festive season.

“Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for young people suffering abuse and neglect, but NSPCC’s Childline services are there to support them 24/7, even on Christmas Day.

“We are constantly in awe of the generosity of the local community in supporting Lidl Northern Ireland’s charity fundraising initiatives and we’re thrilled to invite them to experience Dermot and Gary’s incredible display this Christmas. It’s a real feast for the eyes and the perfect way to get into the festive spirit! We wish all of our customers and team a very safe and merry Christmas.”

Dermot and Gary’s Christmas lights display will be operating until the new year at Brunswick Road, Derry~Londonderry, with 100% of donations going directly to NSPCC Northern Ireland.