A FAMILY business in Peebles is hoping to bring some special Christmas cheer to the Borders and beyond with a festive campaign.

Kevin Reed, who owns KNR Hairdressing in the town, alongside partner Heather Le Plongeon, launched the ‘I Believe’ project on November 1.

The campaign asks that on December 1 people step out onto their doorsteps and shout “I Believe” in what the couple hopes will bring families and neighbours together – even if socially distanced.

Heather said: “I hope when we and everyone steps out, they know we’ve tried to make a difference.”

As well as bringing joy to people, ‘I Believe’ aims to highlight the need to follow current coronavirus guidelines in the hope that Christmas this year will be as normal as possible.

The couple said that the idea for the project “snowballed” from their original Christmas plans.

“The original idea was that Santa would come for storytime that we’d run alongside the Christmas lights switch-on.

“But obviously this has been stopped and we already had Santa organised so we thought what else could we do?”

Inspired by the film Miracle on 34th Street, Kevin (52) and Heather (40) decided to create a video featuring Santa, to spread a message of hope.

“We want to believe that things will get better,” added Heather, “we want to believe in hope.”

In the video, Santa told viewers: “I believe that if everybody wears a mask, washes their hands, and maintains social distancing at all times, I believe we will have the best Christmas ever.”

On December 1, Kevin and Heather hope that people across the Borders will join them at 7pm to shout “I Believe”.

And on that night, Heather said she and her family will be the first ones outside.

“We want families together, even with social distancing, and for people to meet their neighbours over the fence.

“It’s a lonely time for people just now.

“We can keep our distance but still be together.”

Heather and Kevin also launched a Facebook page where families can print out colouring in sheets for children to decorate their windows with ready for December 1.

“We hope parents will send in pictures and videos of their kids saying ‘I Believe’,” Heather said, “to help us send hope out into the world.”

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/KNRHairdressing