Relatives of a brave Dundee cancer victim are set to switch on a stunning light display in her memory today.
Sara Craighead died from a rare brain cancer in April 2013 aged just 35.
Since then, her heartbroken family have organised a Yuletide light show in their Broughty Ferry garden every Christmas.
They say that rather than the festive season being an unhappy time, if the lights ‘can make one person smile’ then it is all worth the effort.
They use the display to highlight the devastating illness that took Sara’s life and help raise money for Brain Cancer research.
Writing on Sara’s JustGiving page, her brother, Ian, 39, said: “We have been putting up our Christmas light display for more years than I can really remember.
“It started out with a couple of lights in the window but the inflatables and lights in the front garden have grown so much that we now also take over the next door neighbour's front garden as well.
“There is now so many decorations that it takes about 3-4 days to put it all together.”
Sara was diagnosed with a very rare slow-growing tumour in her head after a routine trip to the opticians in 2002.
She underwent a 12-hour operation to remove the tumour which was attached to her Jugular vein.
Sara went for regular check ups and In 2009, after a dental appointment, tumours were spotted in her lungs and spine.
It was found around this time that her cancer was caused by a faulty gene - that also affects her dad.
Ian took up the story adding: “Over the next few years Sara's health deteriorated to the stage where she needed to be on oxygen 24 hours a day.
“Even with this she never complained about her illness and still managed to keep her sense of humour.
“But then in April 2013 at the age of 35 she sadly passed away at home.”
And he added: “So that is why we put up the Christmas lights in memory of Sara and it turns what could be a sad time into a happier time.
“The lights make me smile and if they make just one other person smile then it is worth all the effort and the cold and the aches and pains from putting them up.”
Sara’s family are raising funds for Brain Tumour Research on her JustGiving page here.
-The big switch on is taking place in Portree Avenue, Broughty Ferry at 4.40pm this afternoon.
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