FESTIVE celebrations that took over a council estate recently raised more than £5,000 that will be ploughed back into the community.

Thousands of people ushered in the Christmas season by enjoying an evening of entertainment at Festive Firthmoor earlier this month.

The lively event saw spectators join in with festive fun, games and activities before gathering to watch as the night sky was lit with a colourful fireworks display.

 

Santa Claus and Darlington’s mayor, Cllr Veronica Copeland, were among the special guests who descended upon the Firthmoor estate for the first large scale winter event organised by the Firthmoor and District Community Association.

Organiser Jonathan Dulston, who helps to manage the estate’s community centre, said the event had proved to be a huge success.

He said: “We had more than 2,000 people attend and it was absolutely fantastic, we were really pleased.

“The fireworks were spectacular and I think we were successful in creating a community event that was a unique experience and that enhanced people’s lives, which was our aim.

“We are in the middle of a council estate and it was amazing to see people come from all over to Firthmoor, it really helps to give a sense of pride in where we live.”

The money raised at the event will go into supporting activities and services organised through Firthmoor Community Centre, which operates a foodbank and arranges trips and events at a subsidised cost for families and individuals who may otherwise struggle to afford them.

Mr Dulston said: “The money will go towards sustaining and enhancing what we do and will allow us to focus on areas we need to look at.

“We get great support from people – in particular, the Travelling community has donated a lot to our foodbank recently – but there is always an area where we can put money to good use, or where things might be running out.

“We’re also grateful to be able to put it towards helping to give people experiences they wouldn’t otherwise be able to have.

“We recently took people to Edinburgh Christmas Markets for just £12 and something like that can really help, if you’re a single mother of two who wouldn’t be able to do it otherwise – and her children would remember it forever.”

 

He added: “Through events like Festive Firthmoor, community spirit is really coming alive and people know each other, speak to each other and are connecting.”