THE HUGE sum raised for local good causes at this year’s Rotary Spring Fair was the best in the annual event’s 41-year history – probably!
The fair, which is held at the Whitehall Recreation Ground every May, raised £14,900 in just one day.
The event’s marketing lead Willy Goldschmidt said: “We don’t have a full history of how much was achieved over the history of the fair as it was run by different groups, but I am confident this year was the most successful in the last 12 years since the Rotary Club of Rugby Dunsmore first took it on.
“I think we could borrow the Carlsberg line ‘probably the best!’”
Sharing out some of the proceeds, the three Rotary Clubs of Rugby were joined at Rugby Fire Station by event sponsors and Houlton developer Urban&Civic to present cheques to Armed Forces charity SSAFA, the Wasps Community Foundation, Rugby Area Talent Trust, Impact Dance, G-Force Martial Arts and the Fire Fighters Charity.
“It’s been a year to remember for the Rotary Spring Fair,” Willy added. “To raise nearly £15,000 is a marvellous effort by the organisers and visitors – so a big thank you must go to them and all of our sponsors.
“We are in the process of handing out the proceeds to worthwhile causes in the area – including those who helped contribute to the event’s success this year.
“Welcoming new attractions on board was a great success, and we have laid some fantastic foundations to build upon for next year’s Spring Fair.
“We are delighted to start distributing some of the proceeds to some of the local groups who helped make the Fair such a success.”
Around 9,000 visitors came to the fair, which for the first time featured Wasps Rugby Club’s Interactive Zone where hundreds of adults and children tested their passing, catching and tackling skills.
The event also showcased the talents of young singers and musicians from the Rugby Area Talent Trust, Bhangra dancers, Impact Dance, G-Force Martial Arts, and a Kukri display by members of the local Gurkha regiment.
Around 60 stalls were also on show, including a dedicated craft village and an animal petting farm.
Verity Brown, Community and Matchday Marketing Manager at Wasps, said: “These events are so popular because they are proper family days out where memories are made – and a lot of people have a go at rugby for the first time.
“We’d like to thank the fair’s committee for donating some of the funds to Wasps’ charity – the Wasps Community Foundation – which will enable us to make a positive difference to people’s lives through rugby.”
Urban&Civic’s Joh Thomas said: “It was great to learn how the Rotary Spring Fair benefits the community both through their work to put on a fantastic event for families and their continued support for local groups and charities.”
