Raising cash for lights

A community crowdfunding effort is underway to try and raise cash to bring brand new festive lights to Callander this Christmas.

The online fundraiser has been set up to bring festive cheer to the town.

The lights are usually in place in Ancaster Square, but the plan this year is to extend those along Main Street – from Cross Street to Church Street.

A Just Giving page has been set up by community stalwart, Richard Johnson – a former community councillor in the town.

He has set out to raise £1,500 towards the cost of the lights.

On the fundraising page, he said:“last year we organised the Christmas lights in Callander. The lights were around North Ancaster Square and with the Christmas tree they looked fantastic.

“We will be doing the same this year but we are hoping to extend the lights along Main Street.

“At the switch on last year, lots of people commented that it would be good to have lights along both sides of the main road so we have looked into light suppliers and have found one which will supply good quality strings of lights in different lengths and different colours.

“We plan to extend the lights from Cross Street to Church Street so 200m on either side of the road.

“We will speak to all shops and houses along the road to get permission to hang the lights. Depending on the lengths of the strings of lights the total purchase cost will be £1300 to £1500.

“We will be applying for grants and we have some funds which were collected last year.”

To further help with the cost, a collection is to be held in Ancaster Square this weekend. Tomorrow (Saturday), Mr Johnson and the Callander and District 41 Club will be accepting further donations towards the project. To donate, go to https://bit.ly/3mth7yr