A CROWDFUNDING appeal has been set up to support the work of All Under One Banner (AUOB) and it is already attracting donations and support after just a few days.

The appeal is to try to raise the £29,000 cost of organising the eight marches planned for this year from Arbroath next month to Edinburgh in October.

The appeal states: “AUOB was set up in October 2014 and has been arranging marches since then. #AUOBArbroath will be our 23rd march for independence.

“The marches have grown spectacularly in size, from 300 to 200,000 most recently at #AUOBEdinburgh in October 2019 which was the biggest and boldest demonstration for independence.

“Since then, over 80,000 attended our #AUOBGlasgow #OurRightToDecide emergency march on January 11, 2020. #AUOB marches take place in towns and cities across Scotland every year in different locations across the country.

“The marches bring together local people and visitors who together are good-natured, positive, inclusive, forward-looking independence supporters. There are also obvious economic benefits for the towns and cities in which we march.

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“We hosted the first #AUOBAssembly in February 2020, which brought together more than thirty Yes groups and other supporters to discuss and debate campaigning for independence and in particular the marches and rallies which we organise.

“We work more closely than ever with local Yes groups and other activists in order that each march and rally reflects what local independence supporters would like to see and hear.

“Marches and rallies are public events. This means that a stage, a PA system and a generator are required. Fencing needs to be put round the stage and the equipment. Portable toilets have to be provided.

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“Marches require lots of volunteer stewards. Every year we purchase the necessary high-visibility vests for the stewards at each march. You can see that arranging these marches and rallies costs money.

“We estimate that the costs of the marches and rallies planned for 2020 is £29,690.”

Donor and supporter Brian Stewart wrote: “I fully support this crowdfunding to keep up public awareness of far more benefits to Scottish independence compared to settling for 2nd best as part of UK which seems to be reverting back to ‘we are an island nation’. Scotland is international player waiting in the ranks and a chance to set a new path as a newly formed country with big ambitions, hopes and dreams.”

Katie Lennon wrote: “Need to keep up the visible momentum to reach our goal and persuade the doubters! We all need to help with the costs in any small way we can.”