Scottish Hydro donates £1000 to Crieff Community Initiative for Christmas lights

Nov 27 2009 by Caroline Boxer, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CRIEFF’S Christmas light switch-on tomorrow is all set to be a glowing success, thanks to a £1000 gift from Scottish Hydro.

Crieff Community Initiative (CCI), which organises the event, has been busy raising funds throughout the year and Scottish Hydro is now matching the amount it raised.

Lee Ferguson, who works in Scottish Hydro’s Metering Department in Perth and lives in Crieff, is part of CCI.

He told the Perthshire Advertiser: “Our group was formed to carry out environmental improvements and community enhancement projects and part of this includes the erection and maintenance of the Christmas lights in and around the Crieff area.

“We’ve been busy holding various fund-raising events throughout the year and this donation from Scottish Hydro is a great boost to the group’s coffers.”

Lee added: “We’ve held some very successful raffles and bingo teas, as well as a Scottish dance night which brought in a number of visitors to the area, in addition to local folk.

“Thanks to Scottish Hydro’s Into Action scheme, we’ve managed to secure some much-appreciated extra funding for our group.

“The scheme is designed to support staff who are involved in community and charity groups and we’re all really pleased with the £1000 match-funding we’ve received.”

CCI has used part of the funding to upgrade existing lights and replace them with LED ones, ensuring that the event is as green as possible.

CCI chairman Stephen Rodger is delighted with the help that Scottish Hydro’s gift has provided.

He said: “We are a small but very hard-working group of local people, trying to improve our area. As always, the projects we take on are ambitious. Without major supporters such as Scottish Hydro, we would certainly not be able to make Crieff one of the best towns in Perthshire.”