A LARGS mum has put on a fantastic Hallowe'en display to raise money for the charity that helped save her son's leg.
Melissa Renton set up the spooktacular display on the side of her home last week in the hope of raising money for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
The charity helped her save her son's leg at Yorkhill children's hospital after a mole he was born with had a very high risk of melanoma. Nine operations later and after a lot of complications, staff were able to make him healthy again.
Melissa told the News: "I normally do something in the house but this year I thought I would go big. I knew I wanted to put a bucket outside to raise money for Yorkhill. My son spent a long time in Yorkhill and they helped him a lot.
"I just love the charity and what they do. It is nice to give back especially when you have had the trauma of having a child in hospital. I have raised money for them in the past but hopefully the money raised from the display will make a difference for them.
"Hallowe'en is my favourite time of year and when my kids were younger I would make their costumes from scratch. However, my kids are getting older and they no longer want me to make their costumes, but I needed to be creative, so I put that into the display.
"It took me a month to make all the decorations, painting and planning. I wish I had a bigger garden, but my neighbours have been amazing in letting me use their space.
"I bought light-up rings and sweeties for the children to have. I have my daughter and her friends putting masks on and jumping out on the older kids and adults for the full effect.
"I have also been saying to people that the girls who have dressed up and got their masks on are happy to be in scary photos which has been hugely popular."
The Mad Spooks Tea Party is on display at Melissa's home at 33 Bellesdale Avenue from 6.30pm each evening until October 31.
There will be tea, coffee, hot chocolate, sweets, treats - and even a scare.
And it is not just the local community in Largs who have been to see the display; two families in Irvine and one from Kilwinning have made the journey to support Melissa.
The 38-year-old added: "The kids are getting a wee treat and a scare out of it. The theme was a Spooks Tea party, so I made a slime cake with blood coming out of it. I have an apple with maggots coming out of it and they all think it is funny.
"I want to say a huge thank you to those who have visited us and XS Stock in Irvine for providing me with everything I need to put on the display. They donated an inflatable arch and gave me money off buying stock. I really couldn't have done it without them.
"I am looking forward to next year because I think I will go bigger. This year was a tester and local community and beyond have supported it."
Donations for the charity can left in the buckets at the display.
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