Shotts mum thanks volunteers who helped rescue son's gala day decorated house

A Shotts woman has thanked a merry band of volunteers who helped her rescue her son’s gala decorated house.

Lindsay Dornan’s son Reid was selected to be gala king at last weekend’s gala day and had chosen Minecraft as his theme to decorate their home.

Lindsay and Reid, 11, had spent months preparing for the big day and were just about to put the finishing touches to their design when disaster struck on Thursday morning when they awoke to discover the design was ruined.

However, help was at hand and after 12 hours of frantic work which involved friends and total strangers the design was re-built and ready to go.

Lindsay said: “It was completely destroyed due to the weather, I was in tears.

“We had been working for months designing everything. I felt like I had let Reid down and was gutted.

“I put up a post on social media asking for help and within minutes I had a knock at the door and there were people there with paint, wood and other equipment; you name it they had it.

“It was so overwhelming. These people didn’t have to do that but I think it shows the amazing community spirit we have in Shotts.

“I just think everyone should know just how great they were. I was in tears again but this time there were tears of joy.

"I didn't realise so many people had shared my post and before I knew it I was inundated with offers to help. What we pulled off was nothing short of a miracle."

Lindsay revealed that the gala judges for the best decorated house had to wait a little longer to judge their home as the workers put the finishing touches to the design.

And after all of the hard work over the last couple of days, Reid and the rest of the court had a fantastic time at the gala day with Lindsay delighted to see her son play such a big role.

She added: “The judges were round and we hadn’t quite finished it so they said they would come back half an hour later.

“I don’t think they could believe it was the same house! Those few days were such a huge range of emotions.

“The gala day itself was such a great day for everyone. I was so pleased for Reid. He deserved to have a brilliant day and on Thursday it looked like it was going to be a nightmare.

"The support I got from my friends and neighbours are the best I could wish for especially Maryann and Gary. I also want to thank my neighbour Elisha and little Halle who worked flat out as well my new neighbour Brian who got stuck in too."

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