More than 60 Monton volunteers are working together to raise up to £20,000 to save the village’s Christmas lights.
For the past 25 years, Monton Village winters have been lit up by the community Christmas lights, but this year it seemed as though they were going to lose this festive tradition.
But a Monton Village Community Association (MVCA) fundraiser has already raised more than £6,500 in only four days. Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, has promised to match what it raises up to £10,000.
The fundraiser aims to relight the Veterans Shelter and the main roundabout.
The community-led project hopes to not only bring back the village’s Christmas lights but its community spirit.
The project is led by the MVCA Chair, Lisa Muir. She spoke about the inspiration to bring back the lights for the community stemming from the lockdown of 2020.
She said: “We were so isolated as a community, so I organised socially distanced street parties.
“I live in a cul-de-sac with a few elderly residents and a few who live alone.
“And what my street talk about and remember from lockdown wasn’t how difficult it was, they remember those street parties. And I wanted to recreate that on a community level.”
She said: “It’s the worst cost of living crisis in recent memory, people can’t afford to heat their houses, can’t afford to eat.
“So this is about weathering a storm as a community and supporting each other through it.”
Lisa expressed that any donation would be fantastic. “Give anything you can so we can transform this village,” she said.
Since taking the role of Chair in July, she has already had a significant impact on the village by re-establishing the community noticeboard and aims to achieve a strong village bond.
She added: “This is all about giving this community a voice again to effect positive change.”
With the project being self-funded, the MVCA has also seen a response from local businesses in the area donating prizes and money towards the fundraising goal.
The association received additional support from a local company producing over 5,000 leaflets to spread the word about the project.
The MVCA has until December 4 to reach their goal, as she reiterated that she is “so so excited for the future,” especially with the raised total almost at £7,000.
One crowdfund comment by Zoe Hulmes said: “I love our village and want to see the lights back on and the summer fair back and am happy to donate to make these events happen.”
The project looks to make so much positive change with the money going towards not only saving the Christmas lights but initiating the ‘I love Monton’ membership scheme, regular community events, and making vital village improvements.
More information can be found on the organisation’s website.
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