MORE than 5,000 lights are brightening up a house and garden for Christmas today as a family's thank you to a hospital for saving for their daughter's life.

MORE than 5,000 lights are brightening up a house and garden for Christmas today as a family's thank you to a hospital for saving for their daughter's life.

Each year Teresa and Wade Buchanan decorate their home The Laurels in Felixstowe Road, Nacton, to raise money for Guy's Hospital in London, where their daughter Milly has been treated for heart defects.

This year the family - who are helped with the lights by Teresa's parents Alan and Sylvia Yardy - are hoping to break the £1,000 barrier and are staging a special fundraising evening at their home on December 10.

Milly, now six, was born with five holes in her heart and needed operations and prolonged treatment at Guy's Hospital. Today she still has one hole in her heart and special needs because of speech problems.

She goes up to Guy's every two years for check ups but the doctors have been pleased with her progress.

Mrs Buchanan said: "We originally started the lights for Milly because she was so poorly when she was born and we didn't think she would make it through that first year.

"She loves the lights and we have carried on doing it, making the display bigger and bigger, and now raising money for the hospital."

They have raised £1,700 over the past three years and hope this year's display will prove just as popular.

Many of the lights are from America and they have just returned from the States with some new ones which they have added in to the displays.

Mr and Mrs Buchanan, who also have a son Alan, nine, will be opening up their garden - which is opposite the Shepherd and Dog - from 5pm onwards on December 10 and the evening will feature a variety of attractions.

These will include Santa in his horsebox grotto, barbecue, children's crafts and other activities, tombola, and a raffle with a large number of prizes donated by local businesses.

All the money will go to ECHO - Evelina Children's Heart Organisation - which supports Rothschild Ward, where Milly was treated.

n To enter the Evening Star's We're Dreaming of a Bright Christmas competition for decorating the outside of your house please ring 01473 324788, e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk or write to The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.

WEBLINK: www.echo-at-guys.org.uk