BLACKBURN traders' leader Ronnie O'Keeffe today backed the Lancashire Evening Telegraph campaign to save the Witton Park Bonfire and asked every business in the town to donate just £10 to the appeal.
Mr O'Keeffe, president of the Blackburn Chamber of Trade, described the bonfire as one of the town's biggest events of the year.
"It would be a tragedy if the Witton Park Bonfire had to be scrapped," he said. "It is one of Blackburn's most popular events and has become a tradition for thousands of families. It would be a terrible shame if Blackburn were to lose it.
"If just 600 businesses were to give £10 each, it would cover the cost of the event without a problem. Any more donations would be a bonus and then, anything raised on the night by the people who go along to the bonfire could go to the THOMAS charity which is a very worthy cause."
Mr O'Keeffe was confident Blackburn's business community would support the appeal as they did with other charitable events.
He said he was willing to write to all members of the Chamber of Trade to ask them to make a donation towards the annual bonfire.
"If someone from Rotary wants to get in touch, I will be more than happy to mailshot our members and encourage them to contribute."
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