A group of determined residents in the north-east’s biggest town is working to raise enough cash to light up the Blue Toon once again this Christmas.
The Light Up Peterhead project is aiming to boost festive spirit in the town by securing the funding necessary to pay for at least the same number of lights which were put up last year.
Their mission has already received a big boost in the shape of a promise of a £1,000 grant from Peterhead’s Business Improvement District (BID).
The steering group behind the scheme has agreed to donate £1,000 in match funding if Light Up Peterhead can raise the same amount themselves.
And BID coordinator, Iain Sutherland, joined the Light Up Peterhead team earlier this month to offer the match funding commitment.
Light Up Peterhead member Phyllis Mundie said: “If £1,000 is raised then the same amount will be granted from BID for the lights.
“This would be a great funding boost towards our target of £10,000 as each individual feature costs £100 and larger cross street features cost £200.”
Mrs Mundie said that the costs of the displays include storage, maintenance, erection and dismantling of the lights. It is understood that around £2,500 has already been raised.
Residents in Peterhead can donate to the cause by using a number of contribution tins in several local shops or by donating online by visiting: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Lightuppeterhead
Alternatively the group is looking for new members to help deliver this year’s festive cheer. A meeting is scheduled for
Monday, October 24 at the town’s Albert Hotel from 7.30pm.
There are more than 30 BIDs already in place across the country, including sites in Inverness and Aberdeen.
The project involves firms voluntarily contributing money to develop and improve their local environment such as funding plants and decorations.
The aim is for entrepreneurs to create a coherent vision for their town and work together to attract shoppers.
Last year part of the town’s festive decorations included a Christmas tree which was put up in Drummers Corner for local people to spontaneously decorate the with baubles of their own.