THOUSANDS of people are being urged to do their bit to help children in need at this year’s Carlisle Fireshow.

Up to 35,000 people annually attend the spectacular event in Bitts Park, Carlisle, which is staged for free by the city council. This year’s is on Saturday, November 2.

Donations are made from show-goers, with the money shared between the Rotary Club of Carlisle South - which channels most of its fundraising to local causes - and the Mayor’s Charity Fund.

This year’s Mayor of Carlisle, Marilyn Bowman, CFM’s Cash for Kids, Guide Dogs UK and Jigsaw Children’s Hospice.

Volunteers will be holding charity buckets on the entrance to the event and organisers are asking the Fireshow’s adult spectators to consider giving at least £2 each - a sum that would hold huge potential to boost the funds of the charities.

Katie Jones, charity manager at CFM Cash for Kids, said: “We’re delighted that this year’s Fireshow will raise funds to support CFM’s charity.

“Cash for Kids will ensure that every penny raised on the day will stay within Cumbria and south west Scotland to enhance the quality of life for disadvantaged and disabled children through our grant giving procedure.

“We’d like to thank each and every person who donates, for helping to make a difference in their community.”

Lynne Whittaker, community fundraising development officer at Guide Dogs UK, said: “We rely on donations to continue our life-changing work, and every pound raised makes a difference to people in the UK living with sight loss.”

And Natalie Bingham, corporate relationship co-ordinator at Eden Valley Hospice & Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, added: “We’re thrilled to be a part of the Fireshow as it is such a fantastic local event.

“A day’s care in Jigsaw costs £2,126.46 so any funds raised from this wonderful event will go a long way to support children and young adults with life limiting conditions from across Cumbria.”

This year’s Carlisle Fireshow - the 32nd to be held - will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. The United States’ Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the Moon, on 20 July 1969.

Neil Armstrong - the man who made those fist steps on the moon - is a freeman of Langholm, his family having historic connnections with the borderlands.

The centre piece of the 40-foot bonfire will be a giant moon with a curved façade with a video projection of planet Earth. More than 2,000 spectacular sparkling fireworks will also light up the sky.

The event will be hosted by BBC Radio Cumbria’s Caroline Robertson, presenter of the station’s mid-morning programme. The show will start from 6.30pm.