RADCLIFFE residents are being urged to “let there be light” as the future of the town’s Christmas decorations hangs in the balance.

The public are being asked to dig deep and ensure the town sparkles this festive period with around £2,500 still needed to fund the lights’ installation.

The Radcliffe Carnival Committee has stepped in at the last minute to organise a donation drive and are determined to raise the necessary funds as quickly as possible.

They will be taking contributions between 9.30am and 3pm this Saturday (November 30) from a stall in the market during the Christmas fun day at the market hall and bandstand.

Volunteers will also be shaking their yellow collection buckets throughout the town on Saturday and collection boxes will be in the Railway Hotel, the Bridge Tavern, Radcliffe Flooring, Halifax, MaxMix E-Liquids and Barclay’s Bank from today (November 28).

Edward Spencer, marketing coordinator for the Carnival Committee, said: “This is not an ideal situation, but Radcliffe residents need to show we are willing to fight for these lights.

“While we know this will be an uphill task, let us take this opportunity to bring our community together and express our collective spirit, passion and goodwill at this festive time of year!”

The installation of the Christmas lights in the town has been priced at £3,250, with a £750 grant from the Radcliffe Township Forum bringing the outstanding balance down to £2,500.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis said he would do “everything in his power” to ensure the money was found to switch on the lights as soon as possible.

He added: “I will be working with community groups such as the Carnival Committee and will be writing to local businesses in Radcliffe and beyond for help.”

Radcliffe West Cllr Rishi Shori said he would search for more grant funding and that “complaining would not get the job done”.

He added: “This is a time when we all need to dig deep and help where we can – this includes councillors, community groups and residents. Together we can do this.”

Jane Dundavan of Radcliffe Flooring said traders were working hard to raise funds – with her own business and Richard Anthony, Homemakers, Radcliffe Cards and Morning Star pledging a total of £450 in donations so far.

Mr Lewis, the Mayor of Bury Cllr Sharon Briggs and the Bury South Labour Group have also already pledged donations. 

Also on Saturday at 10am community members will be unofficially decorating the town Christmas tree with homemade children’s decorations and Merry Christmas messages.

Donations for the lights can also be made via PayPal by sending money to radcliffecarnival@gmail.com with ‘Christmas lights’ as the subject.

Anyone interested in getting involved can email radcliffecarnival@gmail.com, go to facebook.com/radcliffecarnival or call Yasmin Ullah directly on 07778 159267.