ORGANISERS have made an urgent appeal for businesses and residents to come forward with cash to help save Christmas in Coulsdon.
The town's Yulefest, now in its second year after bringing Christmas lights back to the town in 2013, is due to take place on the weekend of December 6 and 7, but £7,000 is needed to make sure it goes ahead.
Chris Thairs, who runs the festival, said they need to raise the funds before mid-November to help pay for the Christmas lights and a stage for performers, as well as fund the town's first ever ice rink.
"You want to see it start thriving and that's the position we're in. We want it to be bigger and better this year," he said.
"Last year, all the shopkeepers said they had a huge increase in footfall, and it was great to see the community together.
"It would be great to build on that and we urgently need people to donate or sponsorship to make sure it happens."
Mr Thairs said he was especially keen to make sure the ice rink, which will cost around £3,000, goes ahead, particularly since they had plenty of room, given plans to close Brighton Road in the town centre.
He added: "It was something we tried to do last year, but it fell through. We'd love to be able to put it on this time."
Mr Thairs also said they had received plenty of applications for performers for the festival's stage, adding: The performers we've got lined up are amazing, but I can't just stick them in the middle of the street and say 'start singing'.
"People said the stage was what made it last year, so we want to make sure the most popular part goes ahead."
Mr Thairs said he was sure the festival would go ahead "no matter what" but could be scaled back if sufficient financial backing couldn't be found.
A number of local businesses have already come forward to help out, including Coulsdon Home Hardware, Woods Jewellers, Art Rebellion, Purnell and Powell and CR5 Magazine. Cane Hill developers Barratt Homes has also donated, as well as Southern Rail.
Coulsdon West councillor Mario Creatura urged locals to get behind the festival.
He said: "I hope as many people as possible donate to what is a great community festival.
"It would be a real shame if it wasn't to take place."
Anyone willing to donate to Yulefest can email info@yule fest.co.uk or visit www.yule fest.co.uk for more information.
