The annual Christmas Light Switch on is set to take place in Oakham this weekend, and the event is returning with a twist this year.

The historic market town of Rutland will be illuminated this weekend as the annual festive light switch on event draws nearer. The event will host a range of stalls selling crafts and food, as well as fair rides, games and more, as well as FREE mince pies from Oakham Town Council.

Not only can Rutland residents enjoy the event on Sunday, but one lucky winner will take a key role in Oakham market town's Christmas celebrations.

Oakham Town Council are offering one Rutland resident the chance to do the honour of switching the lights on in a shake up of tradition, as the annual illuminations take on a charitable twist.

To be in with a chance to win, residents can purchase raffle tickets for £1, and all money raised will be for the Mayor's Charity this year, which is the Rutland Community First Responders.

The Rutland Community First Responders are volunteers who give their time freely to help save lives in their community. Responders are everyday members of the general public who are trained in the use of Automated External Defibrillators and the treatment and control of a wide range of potentially life threatening conditions.

They handle a range of call outs, including but not limited to:

• falls
• abdominal pains
• chest pains
• DIB
• breaks and dislocations
• pregnancy complications
• strokes
• seizures
• cardiac arrests

The Mayor of Oakham is supporting the Rutland Community First Responders as her charity of the year 2023/24. Image credit: Rutland Community First Responders.

Although the group is made up of volunteers, they have to raise funds for vehicle care and maintenance, fuel, training, uniform, equipment and more, which means that support from local businesses and organisations is invaluable to the small but hard working team.

As such, the team and Councillors at Oakham Town Council are encouraging residents to join the raffle and purchase tickets to support the local Responders.

The raffle tickets will be available to purchase on the night of the switch on from the Oakham Town Council gazebo, or from Kids and More at 9 Crown walk ahead of the event.

The winner will be drawn at 4.45pm, and the switch on is scheduled to take place at 5pm on Sunday 3 December.

Let us know about your festive fundraisers, events and endeavours by emailing [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.