Bognor Regis seafront illuminations appeal sees ‘unbelievable’ success – with almost £13,000 raised

The appeal, which was launched in May, has been so successful that three extra new displays have been ordered and will be installed in the next few weeks.

The original aim was to raise £4,246 to meet the gap caused by the cancellation of the lights’ usual fund-raising events, including the crowd-pulling August Bank Holiday Illuminations Gala which would ordinarily have been held this coming Sunday.

Although the original appeal was launched via a Spacehive funding platform, further donations offline by way of cash, cheques and BACS payments have brought the current total to £12,756.

A recent donation by Royal Hotel developer Metamorph Ltd of £1,500 has been added to earlier donations of £2,000 from B5 Ltd and £1,811 from West Sussex County Council – with the rest being donated by residents.

Jason Passingham, chairman of tBognor Regis Seafront Lights, said: “To go from the worry of an unanticipated shortfall in the cost of this year’s display to being able to install three more new displays in the space of three months is unbelievable.

“We are so grateful to all those who have donated, large and small to make this happen, particularly when there are so many other good causes all asking for help in what has been a difficult year for the voluntary sector.

“As we installed five new displays to the east earlier in the year, the extra three will be installed to the west.

“That leaves just three more to fill the gaps in the Pier area which will probably have to wait now until 2021 unless funds become available sooner.

“In the meantime we will keep the Spacehive Appeal open until the end of September in case anyone still wants to give.”

To donate visit www.spacehive.com/bognor-regis-illuminations-2020