'Thief will not dim our festive lights' (From Oxford Mail)

'Thief will not dim our festive lights'

6:00pm Saturday 26th November 2011 in News By Rhianne Pope

Martin Scarrott with his latest Christmas lights display

A couple bringing Christmas spirit to an Oxford estate will not let thieves thwart their festive spirit.

For the past three years, Martin and Debbie Scarrott have covered their North Way house in Barton in festive decorations to raise money for good causes.

But last Christmas thieves stole the collection bucket from outside the house, containing cash for Help For Heroes.

Tonight, the couple will launch their new fundraising project – this year for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance – with a big community switch-on.

Mr Scarrott, 46, said: “I want to let the thief who stole our money know that we will not be deterred.

“It was a disgusting thing to do and the person has never been caught, but we’ll carry on as normal.”

The theft was caught on CCTV and published in the Oxford Mail, but the image was too grainy to help catch the thief.

This year more cameras have been installed closer to the collection buckets.

Mr Scarrott said: “If anyone tries to steal the money this year, we’ll know who it is.”

The community eventually raised more than £280, which was presented to Help For Heroes in January.

They hope to raise a similar amount for the air ambulance.

Mr Scarrott said: “It’s such a good cause. Thankfully I’ve never had to use them but any of us could need their help.”

The couple have spent three weeks putting up the decorations, which they estimate cost them an extra £10 a month in electricity.

He said: “We want to share our love of Christmas and get the kids excited about it.”

The switch-on will include a snow machine, so Barton will see the first snow of the winter.

Mr Scarrott added: “It’s all worth it when you see the looks on the faces of little kids.”

The switch-on begins at 6.30pm and will include fireworks, music and a tombola.

In Wood Farm, Pete Bonney turned on his Christmas lights in the first week of November.

He collects clothes, blankets and food for homeless people.