Energy bill hikes pull plug on charity lights

A DUBLIN family says they are ‘absolutely devastated’ at having to cut back on their charity fundraising Christmas lights due to soaring energy costs.

Last year Seán and Lorraine White, from Palmerstown, raised €1,700 for Dylan Lester, who suffers with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

However, this year the couple fears their reduced display will mean less money for the Dylan Lester Trust.

Seán, 61, told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘Normally, the cost for putting up all of these Christmas lights for December is an extra €500 or €600 to my bill, but this year it will be nearly double that and I just can’t afford to do what we usually do. All we will be able to put up are low voltage LED lights, which is about half of the normal display. We are especially sad for Dylan, who we have been raising money for 10 years now.

‘With the way costs are rising, not only are we not able to put up as many lights but fewer people will be able to donate as much this year and usually we have people coming from all over the country. They might not be able to travel to us this year because of how much petrol costs.’ Lorraine, 54, added: ‘It is absolutely devastating for us. ‘Every year this is the highlight of Christmas for many children around here. ‘And Dylan’s parents really rely on our donations but it’s not going to be as much.’