A D-DAY meeting between organisers and business leaders, which may decide the future of Witton Park bonfire, has been put back to allow more people to attend.
But town centre licensees are meeting today to discuss ways of raising money for the fundraiser, which is threatened with the axe because of a lack of backing.
After reading of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's appeal to save the fire, licensees from town centre pubs put collection boxes on their bars.
At today's meeting more ideas for raising cash will be discussed.
The meeting between Blackburn Rotaract Club and the Chamber of Trade has been called to try and generate more sponsorship for the annual charity event, due to be held this year on November 3. It will now take place on Thursday.
Organisers of the event -- one of the biggest fundraisers in Lancashire -- fear that this year's fire will have to be cancelled.
In recent years, money raised by the fire has dwindled. In 1999 it raised £4,000, but despite a record turnout of 10,000 people last year -- the total slipped to just £1,600.
Chairman of the bonfire committee and Blackburn Rotaract vice-president Geoff Moss blamed the fall in donations on people's perception of the event.
He said: "People now think of it as a council run bonfire, not a charity fundraiser. Because of that the money we have been raising has fallen dramatically."
The club has now decided that they would rather cancel than go into the red. "If we can raise just as much money from a gala or a ball, than what would be the point of having the fire?", added Geoff.
Last week Ronnie O'Keefe, president of the Chamber of Trade, said it would be a "tragedy" if the bonfire was scrapped.
The total cost of the bonfire, which includes a £3,500 firework display, is over £6,000. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has donated £1,000, leaving the Rotaract Club with £5,000 to find.
One suggestion already put forward by the Chamber was writing to 600 businesses, asking them to donate £10.
That would more than cover the cost of the night, and raise £1,000 for charity.
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