ORGANISERS of a village gala need up to £3,000 to put the event on next year.

Members of St Helen’s Residents’ Association, who organise the annual family day in St Helen Auckland, have been forced to scrap plans for this year due to lack of funding.

However, the group are determined try and make it happen again next summer but they desperately need financial donations or funding to be able to do so.

Neil Simpson, vice-chairman of the residents’ association, said: “We need up to £3,000 and then we will be adding about £1,500 to that.

“When I started helping 13 years ago, it cost about £700 to put on but obviously every year it costs more.

“It is such a shame we have had to cancel it. It is the only big event in the village. We are still aiming for next year but we have to get some money.”

Anyone able to help financially or would like to help organise the event is asked to call Mr Simpson on 07725979714.

CORRECTION

An article in The Northern Echo on Friday, February 21, incorrectly stated the gala makes a £3,000 loss when in fact it costs £3,000 to put the event on. We apologise for the error and any inconvenience caused.