Painting the town white, rather than red, was the aim of a fundraising event in Helston last week.

A concert and talk at Flambards’s Kingsford Centre was held to raise money for refurbishing the town’s white washed walls, which have been steadily falling into disrepair.

It proved to be a great success, with £1,287.70 raised towards the £3,000 target.

Entertaining the audience were Helston Town Band and Helston-born veterinary surgeon John Head, who gave a light-hearted talk on the subject “Life as a Vet”, looking back at 135 years of family veterinary practice in Helston.

Mr Head, a self-confessed “Flora Day enthusiast”, is leading the project with the support of Helston-Lizard Rotary Club members who will be providing the manpower for the repainting in the run up to Flora Day. During the evening the fundraising was boosted with pledges of money from two of Helston’s Cornwall councillors.

Judith Haycock, member for the Helston Central division, gave £500 and Alec Robertson, from Helston North division, £1,000 from their allocated councillor budgets.

Mrs Haycock said: “Despite numerous requests for Cornwall Council to bring the white wash walls up to a standard that is expected in the town, there is only sufficient budget to carry out safety work.

“It is marvellous that a group of volunteers are willing to take on the task. Every year Cornwall councillors are given a budget for small highways works; I am very pleased that I am able to contribute £500 from my highways budget.”

Their contributions mean that the total fundraising has now reached £2,787.70 and donations are now being looked for to reach the £3,000 target.

These should be made payable to the Rotary Club of Helston/Lizard (White Wash Wallis) and sent to John Head at Pentira, Prospidnick, TR13 ORY or delivered by hand to Dales Butchers at St Johns, Helston.

Thanks have been given to Helston Town Band for providing the entertainment and James Hale, managing director of Flambards, for the use of the Kingsford Centre.