THE countdown is on to Helensburgh’s annual Stand Up To Cancer family festival and organisers say they can’t wait to make up for lost time after last year’s event was cancelled.

Bad weather put paid to the 2018 fun day - and previous events have also suffered from heavy rain - but an even bigger and better occasion is planned in less than two weeks’ time at Hermitage Academy, which has taken over as the host venue.

While most of the day’s entertainment and activities will be indoors this time, Alison Sturgeon, assistant manager at the Helensburgh Cancer Research UK shop, says there is still lots to get excited about.

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She said: “We are very excited about it. All of the entertainment is included in our entry fee and every penny goes to our Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

“The event is organised on a voluntary basis by our tiny team at CRUK Helensburgh on zero budget and without the amazing community support we receive, none of it would happen.

“There are 600 CRUK shops in the UK and we are the only one that organises large events like these.”

This year’s festival will take place at the school on Sunday, August 18 from 12 noon until 4pm and the day will kick off with live music from local rock cover band Hot Ratz, who have been supporting the fund-raising campaign since it started five years ago.

There will also be live musical performances from Urbaniks Street Skool of Dance as well as excerpts from Matinee at the Musicals 2, plus a magician, juggler, and the ever-popular classics such as a bouncy castle, sumo suits and arts and crafts.

Good food will be in no short supply with offerings from local cake bakers and butchers and Alison said it should be an all-round fantastic occasion for an important cause.

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She added: “We have been ‘top shop’ two years running for the amount we have raised and we are hoping to make it a hat trick this year.

“Everything is in place for a really fabulous family event and we urge everyone to join us and Stand Up To Cancer together.”

Tickets for the event cost £5 for adults, £3.50 for children and babies under the age of three are free. Entry for a family of up to five is £15.

‘Like’ @HburghSu2c on Facebook for more event information.