A STEWARTON woman is spearheading a campaign to bring back the town’s Christmas lights.

Donna McCulloch is hoping to drum up enough cash – £7,500 – to light up the town’s streets this festive season, but she needs your help.

Donna said she decided to take action after realising the town had not had lights since 2005.

She told the Times: “It all started after a comment on a local Facebook page when somebody asked the million dollar question, ‘Why does Stewarton not have any Christmas lights when all other local towns do?’ “It was a great question which started a lively debate.

“It has been several years since the town had Christmas lights. I think it was around 2005 that we got John Finnie Street’s old lights but they were in need of so much repair that they only lasted a couple of years and were rather sparse through the town.

“So I decided to look into the cost to buy the town lights that would be new and owned by the town. We have set a target of £7,500 to hopefully purchase up to 28 lights that would light up the ‘bonnet toun’, starting from Lainshaw Street through to Main and High Street to The Millhouse and not forgetting Avenue Square, Rigg Street and Vennel Street.

“If we achieve the target, this will cover all running and set up costs and then on an annual basis we just need some small fundraising to cover running and council costs. So this year is the year we need to push for donations and fundraising to purchase the lights.” The fundraising has already kicked off with a stall at Nether Robertland School’s Gala Day, which raised £119.50, and a small stall on the town’s gala day which included a raffle raised a further £190.79.

The next events organised by Donna are a six mile sponsored walk on August 16 organised by Nether Robertland ECC Parents.

On Friday, September 11, there will be a fundraiser night with local Ayrshire group Destination Anywhere at Stewarton Annick Youth and Community Centre which will include music from the 80’s to current hits. Tickets will be on sale soon.

An afternoon cabaret sing-a-long is also planned in the Social Club on Sunday, October 4 with music from the 60s and 70s.

All local businesses have also been asked to donate to the fund and some are sponsoring individual lights outside their premises.

Donna added: “We are hoping to organise more fundraising events but we do need more donations however big or small from businesses and residents. There are collections tins in various shops throughout the town which have to date collected more than £360 or you can donate online on our Go Fund Me page using web address www.gofundme.com/SCL2015 If you would like to help you can visit the group’s Facebook page or email stewartonchristmaslights@hotmail.com