Bridgwater Carnival Donations to Good Causes 2023
Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival’s positive impact on the local community is once again being celebrated after organisers recently donated just under £35,000 to good causes, charities and local clubs.
The money had been raised from carnival related activities in the past 12 months, and included collections at the grand firework display and on carnival night itself, the staffing of official car parks, general assistance and services, and commission received from the sale of souvenir programmes. It also included £7,400, which was raised after a Christmas themed carnival cart toured the supermarkets and streets of Bridgwater and Sedgemoor in December.
The following charities, organisations and clubs received donations, which totalled £34,954.65:
Bridgwater Rotary Club – £6,023.04
Cancer Research UK – £3,840.71
Wellington Majorettes – £2,400.00
Wellington & Taunton Young Farmers – £2,000.00
Bridgwater Operatic Society – £1,926.98
Vagabonds Carnival Club – £1,817.33
Westfield Church – £1,385.00
Cavaliers Carnival Club – £1,346.53
Wilstock Hub – £1,176.50
SNAP – £1,014.34
Bridgwater Sea Cadets – £844.88
Lime Kiln Carnival Club – £914.80
Crusaders Carnival Club – £730.06
Marketeers Carnival Club – £710.35
Marie Curie – £620.14
Freewheelers EVS – £615.24
Bridgwater Wolves Football Club – £513.25
Renegades Carnival Club – £456.80
Weston Super Mare Operatic Society – £455.75
British Flag Carnival Club – £414.63
Polden Bower School – £405.50
Bridgwater Talking Newspaper – £383.86
Sydenham Improvement Centre – £373.61
Phoenix Bridgwater Scout Group – £368.74
Wells City Band – £350.00
Bridgwater Guide Rangers – £344.14
Catcott Village Association – £300.00
Centurion Carnival Club – £290.73
Middlezoy Rovers Football Club – £280.40
Secret World – £277.31
New Direction Majorettes – £252.83
Children’s Hospice South West (Morrisons) – £250.00
Westonzoyland Carnival Club – £248.85
Young Musical Theatre Company – £243.95
Wilfs Carnival Club – £228.85
Marina Sydenham Juvenile Carnival Club – £216.58
Ramblers Carnival Club – £162.10
Somerset Songbirds – £150.00
In the Mix Project – £131.38
Love Musgrove – £127.03
North Somerset LGBT – £101.94
Gremlins Carnival Club – £82.00
Bridgwater Hospital Friends – £66.81
Crusader Cubs – £57.46
Bridgwater United Football Club – £54.25
Dave Stokes, Publicity Director for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to make such a significant contribution to local groups and clubs, and we sincerely hope our donations and support make a big difference to the community.
“The fundraising aspect of our carnival is often overlooked and doesn’t always make the headlines it undoubtedly deserves, but it is another reason why we all volunteer and get involved with this prestigious event year after year”.
One long standing charity to benefit from the carnival is Bridgwater Rotary Club, who have now been working with the carnival committee for over 40 years.
Rotarian Phil Maye said: “Our partnership with Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival has enabled us to provide a service to the community. We pride ourselves that every penny collected or donated is given back to the community and charitable causes, local, national and international. Examples of recent local donations include taking 120 SEND students to Crealy Park for a day in June, sponsoring Bridgwater & Albion Rugby teams (7-17 year olds), Phoenix Scouts, Bridgwater Rangers, and Hamp Cinema Club. The Rotary also regularly supports Bridgwater Foodbank and Dementia Action Alliance.
“So all donations go to good causes, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support”.
In the past two years, approximately £65,000 has been donated to good causes and local charities as a result of carnival related activities, and every year there are a number of ways in which charities and groups could get involved and raise some money. For more information, contact Bridgwater Carnival’s Collection Officer, Jonathon Walters at collection@bridgwatercarnival.org.uk.”
