Lucky Laura passes on good fortune to Light up Lairg

A WOMAN who won a big prize in an online competition has passed on some of her good fortune to a Sutherland organisation, giving it a welcome financial boost in time for Christmas.

Lucky Laura Martin, who lives in Inverness but has strong Lairg connections, scored big in Kilted Competitions– an internet-based, family-run competition site.

Laura scooped a house or £175,000 plus £5,000 for a charity or local group of her choice - and she chose Light up Lairg as her beneficiary.

Light up Lairg looks after the village's Christmas lights, putting on a fantastic display each year, as well as running activities and events including a festive drawing competition and a Best Decorated House competition. The group also arrange for Santa's sleigh to touch down in the village.

Laura's donation is particularly welcome this year as the group is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Steven Maclean from Light up Lairg said: "On Monday we received a phone call from Kilted Competitions informing us of Laura Martin's win and that she had chosen us as her charity.

"Laura lives in Inverness but has strong family links with Lairg. She loves the lights in the village and enjoys coming to see them every year while visiting her family.

"She will be in Lairg for the Winterfest on Saturday, December 9."

Representatives from Montrose-based Kilted Competitions travelled to Inverness to present Laura with a ceremonial cheque and Stephen attended the event along with his Light up Lairg colleague Alan Ross.

"The team at Light up Lairg are all over the moon and this kind donation will help us greatly in the years to come," said Steven.

For Laura it is a Christmas to celebrate as she intends to use the money to pay off her mortgage and buy her dream car. She is also planning a holiday to Florida with her daughter, Daisy.

Light up Lairg is holding its annual children's drawing competition again this year, inviting youngsters to upload their art works on the group's Facebook page from today, December 1 to Saturday, December 23.

Also back for 2023 is the Best Decorated House competition with judging to take place during the week of Saturday, December 16 to December 23. The winners will be announced on Christmas Eve with £100 going to the winner and £30 to the runner-up.

Lairg residents are also looking forward to the arrival of Light up Lairg's Santa's Sleigh on Friday, December 15. The sleigh will be making its way through the village from 6pm. Details of the exact route are still to come.

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