THE people of Nelson are pulling together for a big fund-raising effort to help the residents of tragic Dunblane.

People, organisations, businesses and shops are all offering to do what they can for the grief-stricken Scottish village.

Efforts will centre on a grand gala concert at the Royal British Legion club next week. Performers are playing for free, and offers of raffle prizes have been flooding in.

Local DJ Don Strachan and his wife, Sharon, are behind the idea. Sharon told the Citizen: "We'd been watching the news on television and Don just said to me, 'We really ought to do something to show that we all care.' So he decided to organise something which would give everyone the chance to help.

"There will be two events on Sunday, April 7. During the day there's a family disco, and at night there's the concert.

"The response we have had so far has been absolutely brilliant. Everyone seems to want to help in whatever way they can. The whole town is coming together.

"We've only had a week to organise the night, but loads of people have already given prizes for the raffle. They include a fully fitted carpet, a year's free membership to the Alexandra snooker club and a hamper."

Don, who runs the youth section disco every night at the Brunswick Street club, has been hard at work organising the events for the big day, and ticket sales are going well.

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