A MYSTERY donor has stepped in to save Fishguard’s New Year’s Eve street party just hours after a story on the event’s financial difficulties appeared on the Western Telegraph website.

The 2017 event was more than £600 in debt after only 15 percent of revellers bought a wristband to support the event.

On the afternoon the Western Telegraph ran the story on its website an anonymous benefactor, a Fishguard native connected to the pet food brand Nutriment Raw, contacted the organisers to say he would donate the full shortfall of £685 and will work with the team to create an even better event.

“Today has restored our faith in humanity,” said a spokesman for the committee. “Fishguard and Goodwick please join us in thanking this wonderful man.

“He has stepped up and we are hoping this will encourage others to support the event too.”

The organising committee is still urging all those who attended this year’s party to donate £3 each to help pay for an even bigger and better event next year.

Only around 533 wristbands have been sold and the event was attended by around 3500 people.

“We know lots people came from all over the world to this event and we had estimated 3500 people on the square at midnight,” said organiser Clare Malone-Hallett.

“This doesn’t count those with children who attended earlier in the evening for the flash mob and left.

“We thank all those who have donated and ask the public to also please support us please. If 3500 people bought a £3 wrist band there would be £10,500, instead we sold around £1,600 worth of wrist bands.”

The New Year’s Eve Party committee has set up a PayPal donation service, via its Facebook page. The button is at the top of the page and it is easy for revellers to make a retrospective contribution, either via PayPal or by card.

“If everyone who attended could please support the event by donating £3, then the event will continue to be as amazing as it has been and grow even better as we move forward,” said the organisers.

People can also support the party by joining the Fishguard Square New Year’s Eve 200 Club, where half the money goes to the street party, with the other half beingwinnings. For more information e-mail alanghodgson@btinternet.com.

The committee is also looking at working with local businesses to help fund the 2018 event. The plan to approach local businesses and ask them to get more involved.

“We are pleading to local pubs, eateries, hotels, B&Bs and others to please help us to help you,” said Clare. “Let’s all work together to keep this event in the square and continue to grow.”

Businesses can contact Clare Malone-Hallett to discuss supporting 2018’s event.