While many are planning their Easter break or summer holiday, one community group in Angus is pressing ahead with its annual fund-raising campaign for the maintenance of its Christmas lights.
With 284 sleeps to go until the big day, members of Forfar Action Network (FAN) have launched the ‘Forfar Fifty’ project which they hope will be supported by the whole community in the countdown to Christmas.
After Angus Council pulled the plug on supplying lights throughout the district, community groups have rallied together to illuminate their towns.
FAN members hold a number of fundraisers throughout the year including a bingo tea, a supermarket bag pack, a ghost walk and a crowdfunder.
All the money is re-invested in the lights, with the first of three bespoke features hoisted above East High Street for last year’s festivities.
The official switch-on ceremony at The Cross has been a firm fixture in the lives of many families, and FAN is hoping local residents get behind their efforts to ensure the lights shine brightly this year.
Chairman Stuart Pirie said: “We are hoping 50 people take up the challenge of raising £50 which would take us to half way through the funds we need every year.
“We have already had people coming forward with a variety of suggestions.
“One woman is going to make tablet, another who cannot drink caffeine, is holding a juice morning rather than a coffee morning, some groups are putting £1 in a jar every week, basically anyone can do anything.
“It costs roughly £5,000 every year to put the lights up, maintain them and insure them.
“A number of businesses have already donated but they also support so many other causes in the town.”
Last year FAN purchased a bespoke banner which was strung across West High Street, and they hope to purchase similar features for the town’s other main thoroughfares of East High Street and Castle Street.
Stuart continued: “These cost £3,000 each but we plan to have the ‘Seasons Greetings Forfar’ banner which will welcome you into the town, no matter which direction you are coming from.”
Anyone wishing to join the ‘Forfar Fifty’ can contact Forfar Action Network via their Facebook page, email forfaractionnetwork@gmail.com or contact Stuart at Angus Pets and Aquatics on East High Street, phone 01307 462061.
