Published March 16th, 2020
A total of £18,000 was raised for good causes at the 2019 Padstow Christmas Festival.
More than 20 local charities, schools, and community groups each received a share of donations, totalling £6,700, at a celebration evening in Padstow on Wednesday 4 March.
The money was raised by events held by the Friends of Padstow Christmas Festival, a charity breakfast cooked and served by top chefs, and donations from festival-goers.
A further £11,300 was raised at the festival by two Cornish charities: Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust and Cornwall Hospice Care, which organised the Santa fun run and cycle, generating £9,000 for the charity.
Festival organiser Tina Evans was full of praise for the way that the local community supports the festival.
“Many local groups provide essential volunteers and participate in our events,” she said. “It is important to recognise our local community and say thank you. Our volunteers and local supporters are vital to help us run the festival, which brings so many benefits to the town at a traditionally quiet time of the year.”
Padstow School, Padstow Christmas Lights, and St Petroc’s Senior Citizens’ Club were amongst the organisations which received donations at the celebration evening.
£450 was awarded to the Padstow Girl Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, and Trefoil Guild. The money will go towards their guide hut fund to help with overheads, repairs, and improvements, as well as subsidising arts and crafts for the group.
Rosemary Howells, who has been involved in guiding for 58 years, said: “Many members of our Trefoil Guild, an organisation for former guides, are actively involved with the festival as volunteers. Most of our children take part too through school activities and the lantern parade. The event is very much part of our community.”
The annual festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors and is one of the largest Christmas events in the country. It is a showcase for the region’s food and hospitality businesses and an opportunity to learn from some of the nation’s leading chefs.
As well as two chef demonstration theatres and a Christmas market, highlights include a firework display and lantern parade.
The 2020 Padstow Christmas Festival will be held from Thursday 3 December to Sunday 6 December.
