A CHRISTMAS lights fan is back with a sparkling display after a year off to look after his seriously ill wife.
For the last 14 years, Mick Record, 68, has decorated his house in Symonds Close, Weymouth, with thousands of Christmas lights.
The part-time cleaning contractor has raised over £13,000 for charity since he started in 1995.
Last year he didn’t put up any lights because his mind was on his wife Diane.
Mrs Record, 66, was taken seriously ill with a liver complaint and picked up an infection, which spread to her brain and other parts of her body.
She was treated at Dorset County Hospital where doctors told the family to expect the worst – but Mrs Record defied the doctors to make a recovery.
Mr Record admitted this year had been a ‘struggle’ but his spirits were lifted when his wife started getting better in August.
He said: “I still can’t believe we’re planning Christmas together. I’m really happy.”
He added: “I’m more optimistic now. It’s still a struggle but we have a brilliant family, who are really supportive.”
To celebrate, Mr Record has put his lights back up this year and is going to raise money for the children’s charity Julia’s House.
He said: “I had to put the lights back up. So many people come round to look at them and to give to charity.”
He added: “In 1995 I put up the first lights, on a tree outside.
Then I saw the reindeer and got two. But I thought it doesn’t look great just two reindeer and a tree, so I went back and got two more.
“My neighbour said I should do it for charity and that’s how it started. It got better every year.
“This year I had help from my neighbours down the road, Billy Short and Darren Lewis. They came round and put up all the lights all around the garden.
“They were fantastic.”
Mrs Record said: “I’m feeling fine now, back to normal. I couldn’t help put up the lights this year but I’ve been out to look at them and they look lovely. Mick has been so supportive. He’s a gift, I wouldn’t change him.”
The lights cost Mr Record about £400 a year to power and the kind-hearted pensioner gives out chocolates to passing children and families.
Every year Mr Record has donated the money to children’s charities, except for one year when he donated to the RNLI.
He said children’s charities are very close to his heart.
He added: “My son has a step-son Liam who is autistic and my sister has learning difficulties so it’s always been a cause close to the family.”
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