ORGANISERS have vowed this year’s Dickensian Night will still go ahead in Accrington despite a major sponsor pulling out.
Warner Street and Church Street are to be transformed into a Victorian wonderland on Thursday, December 8, after the event proved popular at its launch last year.
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The duo behind the event previously warned it was at risk and are still looking for donations and sponsors to cover the rising costs with 15,000 people expected to attend.
Evonne Harwood, of Pink Magpie Vintage Emporium, who runs the event with Kate Fury of Clean Green Recovery, said it will still go ahead “in its full glory”.
“We had a sponsor that was going to finance it, but due they were no longer in a position to do so so we had a last minute rush around,” she said.
“Because of the success of the event we planned to close Church Street as well as Warner Street which means expenses have gone up. We have got the insurance, traffic management. We have had more outgoings than we anticipated.”
The organisers are calling for sponsors to get in touch and have set up a justgiving page so they can ensure the event is kept free.
“It is an amazing community event. Obviously there is no way we will not let it go ahead. It just means extra work for us.
“We could do with a nice company to sponsor it because it is free. We just need extra for the entertainment.
“It is important for us that we can keep it free. A lot of families do not have the money.”
This year there will be the carol service with St James’s Church involved as well as the Accrington Pipe Band, fire-eaters, dancers and stalls.
They will also be holding a Star Appeal where people can nominate adults and children from Hyndburn who have done something good. They will be honoured with a star on the Christmas tree.
Evonne called on people to donate as little as £1 if possible.
“It is an award winning event and we need to keep it going, she added.
Cllr Ken Moss said: “It is great for Accrington town centre and the fact it is going ahead is a credit to the traders. We hope it will be an annual event.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kathryn-furey-1
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