Appeal to help meet Christmas light funding shortfall

Forfar Action Network (FAN) took over responsibility for the town’s festive display from Angus Council around eight years ago and receives no external funding to help store, insure, erect and dismantle the lights, and the group carries out its own fundraising activities and accepts donations throughout the year.

Annually it costs FAN around £4000, but this year additional funding is needed as some of the lighting features can no longer be used. And the replacements for the town centre are not cheap, having been identified at a cost of £20,000.

Currently its funds could cover around half of this amount.

In a post on its Facebook page, FAN has said that the group has reached a “standing point”.

It says: “We all know times are hard but we’re at a bit of a standing point just now. The Christmas Lights which were inherited from Angus Council are basically no longer fit for purpose.

“The lights cost around £20,000 and we have around £10,000 available to spend. We can’t just buy any lights, they need to be bespoke to the individual specifics of each building we propose to illuminate.

“If we got 100 groups, families, charities, individuals etc to donate a one-off £100 then that would cover the shortage.

"If 200 of the same were to donate £50 then it’s the same figure, if loads of you donated £10 then many a Mickle Mack’s a Muckle.

“There’s a cheaper option available but let’s think big and have something stunning to look at when Santa drops off your presents this year and for the next 10 years.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at Nutscene on Castle Street, Stef’s Barbers on North Street and at Angus Pets on the High Street.

Cash transfers can be arranged by getting in touch with the group via its Facebook page and further information is available by sending a private message.