RHU and Shandon Parish Church has thanked local residents for the financial support which has enabled them to switch on their floodlights in the run-up to Christmas.

The lights were switched off earlier this year as a cost-cutting measure as the church – along with congregations across the country – looked for ways to plug the gap left by the downturn in collections because of the pandemic.

The church launched a ‘Light Up Christmas’ appeal via social media last week promising that the lights would go on as soon as donations reached £300.

And just 24 hours later, with that target met, the lights came back on, to the delight of local residents and passers-by.

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The congregation has also promised that if donations reach £1,500, they will invest in energy-saving lights which could reduce the cost of lighting up the outside of the church – currently around £1,300 a year – by as much as 35 per cent.

You can donate by going to the church’s website – rhuandshandonchurch.org – and clicking on the Donate button.

You can pay by card or PayPal, and if you are a UK tax payer, and you share your address with the church, they will be able to claim Gift Aid on your donation.

You can also donate by cheque – contact the church’s treasurer, Andrew Nisbet, on 01436 820993 for further information.

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