A GALASHIELS man has completed a marathon charity fundraiser to make the town's Christmas great again.

Following last year's disappointment, Bill Jeffrey felt the Christmas lights were in much need of rejuvenation and wanted to make Galashiels the ‘Pride of the Borders’.

Teaming up with Galashiels Community Council, the 60 year old completed the Southern Upland Way, travelling 214 miles from coast to coast, through challenging conditions and remote rural towns.

So far, he has personally raised more than £3,000.

This, combined with the support from the Scottish Borders Localities Fund and local businesses, means that more than £20,000 has been raised to support the Christmas lights in Galashiels.

Cheered on by local supporters, he was welcomed in to the Salmon Inn on his return at the weekend, where he downed a much needed pint and shared a buffet with his supporters.

Bill said: "Christmas is a time for giving and giving magic to our kids.

"It was a painful but rewarding experience and I would do it all over again.

"I want to give a massive thank you to all who have supported me and donated to our town's Christmas lights.

"But most of all than you to all who rallied round to help me walk home on the final leg of this journey."

Bill also added that it was fantastic to see so many members of the community coming together for an important local cause.

He has always wanted to complete the Southern Upland Way, and wanted to prove that he could do it, despite having suffered two serious spinal injuries in his lifetime.

And although he faced difficulties, he made it home on Sunday afternoon with a mass of supporters by his side.

Hailing the fundraiser "an amazing community project", Bill added: "I'm just a wee part of this team."

He was also keen to praise local businesses and his lifelong friend, Bill Russell, who drove, picked up and towed the caravan where needed, taking on atrocious weather and challenging setbacks along the way.

"I couldn't have done it without him", Bill added.

The fundraiser has achieved an incredible amount of online support through social media.

Bill recalled a heartwarming memory from the early stages of the walk when he was making his way between Stanraer and New Luce on the East coast.

He said: "I was in so much pain and I was almost ready to give up.

"That afternoon, I got a text telling me that Indigo Rooms had put £300 into the fundraising pot.

"It put the biggest spring in my step and it made all the difference.

The support Bill has received from local business owners has been fantastic; he has received help from Ostle's Tyres, HR Motors and the Galashiels Pavillion Cinema, to name but a few.

Next year, Bill does not plan on quitting his fundraising activities and will continue to push himself to the limit.

With plans to learn how to kayak, the local legend still has a spring in his step, and is ready to take on yet another challenge.

If you wish to support Bill and the Galashiels Christmas lights and switch on ceremony, donations can still be made online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/coast-to-coast-walk-for-the-christmas-lights