WICKFORD’S Christmas lights switch-on could be at risk, with the organisers putting out a desperate plea for support to fund the event.

Organisers say it will cost at least £7,000 to ensure the lights are put up, which is £1,500 more than the previous year. 

Now, charitable organisation Wickford at Christmas have launched a fundraiser to help ensure the Wickford High Street Christmas lights are put up and that a big switch-on event takes place. 

The £7,000 figure includes storing the lights each year, putting them up and taking them down, keeping them on during winter, as well as the maintenance and testing of the lights. 

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The Wickford High Street lights switch-on first took place in 2016 and has been a popular ever since. 

Jade Hill, volunteer at Wickford at Christmas, said the event is at risk if funds cannot be raised.

She said: “It is a real community effort, in Wickford and beyond, to light up our high street.

“On the day the lights are turned on, we will have a parade and stalls down the high street, entertainment on our main stage all day, rides for the kids, and a visit from Santa.

“We do not get funding from the council, so we try to fundraise ourselves, as well as approaching various businesses for sponsorship.

“This year it’s particularly hard due to the changes in everyone’s finances.  

“But the bottom line is we do not have the funds to cover it, so unless we can raise more funds the possibility is that this could be the last year of having lights in the high street. 

“Which would be devastating.”

The event is run entirely on volunteers and donations each year.

Eunice Brockman, chair of Wickford Community Events, said if everyone could donate even just £1 they would have more than enough for the event.

She added: “We struggle to raise enough funds each year.

“We know times have not been easy for everyone this year, but even if every Wickford resident donated £1 each, we would have more than enough.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wickfordatchristmas