A FUNDRAISING drive has been launched to try and safeguard the future of the Largs Viking Festival.

Organisers have spoken of their fears that the cash crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic - which claimed this year's event - could threaten the event's viability.

This year would have marked the 40th anniversary of the popular festival, which celebrates the strong links between the Scots and the Vikings in the town.

Lesley McCormack, who has been on the festival committee for two years, says events like theirs will struggle to survive in the current climate.

She told the News: “The financial picture is really up in the air - and the first things to go will be this type of festival because people will be spending their money elsewhere.

“Councils no longer have the money to support them and sponsorship to keep the festival going is getting much harder to find each year.

“Even before Covid-19 came along it was getting gradually harder to get funding and there’s a lot more competition for grants.

“The festival represents Largs and its history and involvement with the Vikings, so hopefully people will help to keep it alive."

The festival attracts thousands of visitors to the town each year and Lesley says it also provides a vital history lesson for kids.

She said: “More than 900 pupils from 29 schools visit the festival every year. All of these children would miss out if the festival disappears.

“That’s why the fundraiser was set up, in the hope that people will realise what an important event this is in so many ways."

Organisers say there are numerous costs associated with staging the festival.

Lesley said: “It’s a nine-day long event and there are a lot of costs that are associated with that. Some are obvious and some are a lot smaller.

“We need to set up, take down and store the Viking village, pay for security, marquees, resilience teams and ambulances - all these little things add up.

“By the time you add it all up, you’re probably talking about £40,000 plus to put on the festival each year.”

Donations to the fundraiser have almost reached the halfway mark, and whilst Lesley says this is fantastic, she is hoping residents get behind it.

She said: “The response has been really encouraging. We thought we would give it a try and it’s the first time we’ve looked to the public for help.

“At the Viking festival there are bucket collectors, but we never normally look to the public for support in this way.

“People are realising now that money doesn’t grow on trees, if they want to keep something going then they need to support it.

“We just want to keep the spirit of the Viking festival alive and we hope people will support us to do that.”

You can donate to the fundraiser by searching for ‘Largs Viking Festival’ on Facebook.