Our running costs each year are nowaround £11,000. This is for things such as lights maintenance and installation, Switch On Day permits and licences, insurance, stage hire, first aid cover, sleigh maintenance, storage and many more things. This year we are also having to pay out a significantly large sum of money for security for Switch On Day, in addition to our other costs.

We're working towards putting new and improved Christmas lights in the High Street and part of Central Avenue, which will cost around another £10,000 (this includes at least £3,000 to cover the cost of load testing the street lamp columns in the High Street.

Unlike many other towns, our lights and event are not funded by councils and retailers so we are reliant on donations to continue bringing Santa round on his sleigh, lighting up the High Street and putting on Switch On Day, the biggest event of the year in Sittingbourne High Street, enjoyed by thousands of people.

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