Planning and fundraising for this year's City of Lights parade in Truro has already begun and organisers are appealing for businesses and individuals to get involved.

Last year, the City of Lights team were bowled over with the incredible community spirit and support that helped to keep the event illuminated for its 20th year. This year, they would like to invite you become a Friend of City of Lights. Individuals, couples and families are welcome to join the event in support. Packages starts at just £10 for an individual, with £18 for a couple and £25 for a family. Each COL friend will be invited to take a sneaky peek of the lanterns on the night of the parade, up close, before they are taken through the streets.

Each year, £50,000 is needed to make the event happen. With thanks to local businesses such as Stormfront, Redrow Housing, Taylor Wimpey, Truro and Penwith College and Wolfrock, progress is being made. If you think your local business could join this list of sponsors, contact the team. Sponsor Packages start at just £150 and are listed on cityoflights.org.uk.

"This event relies heavily on support from the community, which goes further than donating money," said a COL spokesman. "Could you volunteer a few hours of your time to help shake a bucket over the coming months, help collect on the night of the parade, hand out leaflets or do you have crowd management experience? The team would like to hear from you. Please contact trurocol@gmail.com."

Lionel Knight, Truro's town crier who donated £1,000 to City of Lights last year, added: "This is an important event for Truro and has created an identity for the city. It brings people from far and wide. I remember speaking to people who had not only travelled from the deep depths of Cornwall but also as far as Somerset and even Canada, last year. If we want to keep this event, the community and local businesses need to support it."

If you feel inspired to donate to Truro's City of Lights, you can donate via cityoflights.co.uk or text COLT17 £amount to 70070. If each person who attended the parade donated £2, funding for the event would be secured.