Desperate dash for cash to light up town in time for Christmas

Arbroath: £12,000 needed to ensure annual lights display goes ahead

Time is running out to ensure Arbroath is not “left in darkness this Christmas”.

Arbroath and District Community Council has launched a desperate fundraising drive to help the town continue its Christmas lights tradition.

The community group took matters into its own hands after Angus Council confirmed it would not be hosting its regular festive switch-on celebration.

The authority must save £85,000 a year and believes sharing responsibility for community events with voluntary organisations will prove beneficial.

A total of £12,000 is needed to ensure the celebration goes ahead.

However, with just seven weeks to go until the big switch on, the group is far short of the target.

Marc Ritchie, chairman of Arbroath District Community Council, said: “As of this morning we have raised just over £425 – thank you to everyone who has donated so far.

“We are working hard to ensure the Christmas lights shine brightly in Arbroath this year. MARC RITCHIE

“We need to raise over £12,000 to be able to put the lights up and take them down this year ahead of the switch on of the Christmas lights.

“This will happen on December 1, which is only seen weeks away.

“There will be many activities and stalls on the night to create the fun, enjoyable, family-friendly environment, including a Victorian Christmas market being held in Market Place, with many great crafting items on offer to give to family and friends for Christmas.

“We are working hard to ensure the Christmas lights shine brightly in Arbroath this year and the community council cannot do this without the help of the public spirit often seen across Arbroath.”

To donate visit crowdfunder.co.uk/ arbroath-christmas-lights-and-switchon-event. Donations can also be sent to 30 Hillend Road, Arbroath, DD11 2AR.

The first fundraising events will be held at the town’s Tesco and Morrisons stores on Saturday October 28 when bag-packing will be held between 10am and 4pm.

A bingo and stovie night will then be held at the Portcullis from 7pm on Friday November 3.

To get involved email arbroath communitycouncil@gmail.com or call 07595295527.

jmilligan@thecourier.co.uk

There will be no festive lights in Kirk Square this year unless £12,000 can be raised.