Carnival Aids Local Charities
February 2009
Local charities were given a financial boost after receiving their share from Bridgwater Carnival’s 2008 street collection.
At the recent Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee’s annual dinner held at Bridgwater Sports & Social Club, representatives from some of the official charities (Bridgwater Rotary Club, British Red Cross – Bridgwater Branch, Bridgwater Lions International, Freewheelers, SNAP, Rhode Lane Wanderers, Headway Somerset, Ron Peberdy Cyberknife Trust, St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice, Children’s Hospice South West, Bridgwater Arts Centre, Sue Ryder Care, Break 4 Kids (YHA) and BARB Rescue), were formally presented with their cheques by Doug Robson and Mark Robson, president and collection officer respectively, for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee.
The amount of money collected during the 2008 carnival activities dropped for the second consecutive year with £26,936.38 being raised – over £3,500 down on the collection record of £30,701.58 which was set in 2006. The collection fund included a donation from The Exmoor Teddy Bear Company, who gave a percentage of the selling price from each of their 2008 carnival bears sold, contributions from customers in local pubs and shops, and from spectators lining the route during the November parade.
Mark Robson, said: “When you consider all of the effects associated with the recession, I was pleased with the amount of money collected at Bridgwater Carnival 2008.
“Raising money in the current climate is not easy, and I would like to thank all charities, collectors, and the carnival committee collection team for their superb efforts in this difficult year.”
During the run up to Christmas 2008, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee helped raise their contribution further to local charities after raising over £4,800 by taking a festive themed cart around the supermarkets and streets of Bridgwater. Rhode Lane Wanderers, Bridgwater Rotary Club, SNAP, Cancer Research UK, St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice and Bridgwater Lions International all received boosts to their fundraising efforts, as local shoppers and residents dug deep into their pockets to show their appreciation at the decorated cart.
Since March 2008 Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee has supported and given donations to the following charities and organisations (some of which is in recognition for assistance during the event):- Bridgwater Rotary Club - £3,144; SNAP - £1,740; Wellington and Taunton Young Farmers - £1,600; Glastonbury Chilkwell Carnival - £1,500; Bridgwater Lions International - £1,444; British Red Cross (Bridgwater Branch) - £1,374; Escape - £662; St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice - £634; Rhode Lane Wanderers - £540; Freewheelers - £507; St John Ambulance - £400; Bridgwater Gangs & Features - £300; Ron Peberdy Cyberknife Trust - £285; Headway Somerset - £238; Bridgwater Arts Centre - £161; Chedzoy Pre School - £159; Children’s Hospice South West - £134; Break 4 Kids - £133; Westonzoyland CC - £100; Sue Ryder Care - £106; Somerset Fire & Rescue - £90; Army Cadet Force, Bridgwater - £79; Relate - £76; BIBIC - £50 and BARB Rescue - £13.
The following charities and organisations also raised the stated amounts during the concerts, procession and other carnival related activities:- Sedgemoor Rotary Club - £1,445; St John Ambulance - £1,030; Chedzoy Pre School - £692; Bridgwater Rotary Club - £613; Cancer Research UK - £434; Somerset Youth and Community Sailing Association - £385; PGME School - £162 and Relate Somerset - £118.
Dave Stokes, publicity officer for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee added: In total £20,349 has been raised for local causes as a result of the carnival and its associated activities, and this is testament to the hard work of everybody involved with Bridgwater Carnival.”
