Carnival only happens because of volunteers, and Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is holding an open day later this month where individuals and groups can find out more about getting involved and potentially benefitting from the town’s biggest night of the year.
The open day, which is being held on Sunday 28 July, 11am to 3pm at the Carnival Centre, High Street, Bridgwater, is an opportunity for charities, community groups, other good causes and individuals to drop in and learn how they can help with this year’s carnival procession, which takes place on Saturday 2 November, 6pm start.
Jonathan Walter, Bridgwater Carnival’s collection officer, said: “Helping local charities and organisations to boost their funds has always been an integral part of our carnival activities, and every year we need over 1,000 volunteers to help us on carnival day.
“There are a number of roles we need volunteers to fill, including collectors, programme and souvenir sellers, car park attendants, marshals, grandstand stewards, announcers, drivers, and traffic management assistants, and at the open day we can talk through how these fundraising and volunteering activities work for mutual benefit with interested charities and community groups.”
Any charitable group or community organisation (including sports clubs and Parent Teacher Associations) will be considered and in return, arrangements can be made for a share of the collection or a donation to be made to the group.
Jonathan, who is in his third year as collection officer for the carnival committee, added: “There is always a variety of fundraising opportunities available, and the more help and support we receive the more money we raise for good causes, and I really do hope we see some new groups involved with this year’s carnival.
For more information on the available fundraising and volunteering opportunities, drop into the carnival centre on Sunday 28 July between 11am and 3pm. Alternatively, contact Jonathan on collection@bridgwatercarnival.org.uk / 07808 988182.
Between 1982 and 2023, £892,584 has been collected at Bridgwater Carnival and shared between the official Bridgwater Carnival charity and its charity partners, and in the past two years, approximately £65,000 has been donated to good causes and local charities as a result of carnival related activities,