Chiswick Summer Fair Charity Donations
Ten local charities benefit from the fundraising
Ten local charities have shared over £23,500 thanks to the success of this year’s Chiswick Summer Fair. Acton Homeless Concern, Cedars and Hounslow Siblings Group each received £4,335 whilst seven others - Hounslow Extra Club, Age Concern Chiswick, Cystic Fibrosis Local Support Group, Trusell Trust Foodbank, Greenhouse, St Edward’s Pensioners Club and Parents in Touch (PiT) – each received £1,500.
The money was raised at The Chiswick Summer held on Turnham Green in June.
BBC Broadcaster and author Jeremy Vine (above) opened the event organised by the parishes of Our Lady of Grace Chiswick and St Dunstan, Gunnersbury. Other highlights included the auction previewed by ChiswickW4.com and run on the day by High Road Auctions. The lots, which included unique Fred Perry shirts designed and signed by Sir Peter Blake, raised amazing £6,513.
Chair of the organising committee Denise Sharpe said: “We extend our sincere gratitude to the charities that we are able to support with the Summer Fair – your work on a daily basis is great motivation and example to us as we plan our one special day!”
The cheques were presented to representatives from the charities by Canon Anthony Dwyer, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Grace and St Edwards. He said: “Since 2005 we have been able to distribute almost £100,000 to a number of good causes. While it is good that we can come together and have an enjoyable day at the Fair, it is also good that we are able to provide support for those who respond to a variety of needs in our local community.”
A spokesperson for Hammersmith & Fulham’s Foodbank said: “A huge thank you to The Chiswick Summer Fair 2012 for the very generous donation to the Foodbank which has provided thousands of meals to residents in crisis since it opened in 2010. The Foodbank helps people who have been given a voucher by their GP, social worker or another professional which can be exchanged for several day’s worth of essential supplies of food. This money donated is very much appreciated as it coincides with a second Foodbank opening in Shepherd Bush.”
Parishioner Michele Rooney spoke on behalf of Hounslow Extra Club . She said: “I am very grateful that we have this opportunity to come together, and also benefit those working in the community. Fundraising is getting harder and harder in the political and economic climate, and but for the money from the Fair I'm not sure we would be able to run the HEC scheme much beyond Easter.”
Details of the benefitting charities:
Acton Homeless Concern – Emmaus House and Damien Centre, Acton
Provides 200+ hot meals a day in 2 hours, runs a drop in centre which provides shelter, hot drinks, advice, companionship. Weekly doctor’s surgery, chiropodist, optician, dentist referrals, counselling and basic skills training.
Hounslow Extra Club- Runs activities and outings for young people and adults with a range of disabilities during the school holidays. Gives the children an opportunity to get out of the house to go swimming, visit museums, go to the park and see the world outside of home and school.
Cedars Youth Centre- Cedars is a youth drop in centre and café for young people in Chiswick, located by the Methodist church on Sutton Court Road.
Hounslow Siblings Group-Provides an outlet for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities. Outings and activities allow the children to relax and have fun in their own right. Meeting other children in their situation helps to reduce their sense of isolation.
Parents in Touch-A one stop shop for advice and information for parents with disabled children. A weekly surgery is held, home visits made, information over the phone given on how to access help. A newsletter keeps the parents in touch on educational, health and social issues.
Age Concern – Chiswick
Runs a Friendship Club for over 60s. Chiswick has few community facilities, Age Concern has tried to remedy this and also fill the gap left when Chiswick Day Centre closed. Outings, Keep Fit, Bingo, Computer Classes, Tea Dances and Jumble Sales are organised.
St Edward's Pensioners Club-Open to men and women although we only have women members at the moment. This is a social group for people to meet other members of the parish. We have quizzes, bingo and often keep fit classes. We also have visits from the police to inform us of security hints/information. We celebrate members' birthdays with a drink and cakes.
Trussell Trust Food Bank-Helps people in crisis. Our parish recently had one food collection. Food collection for tins of meat, fish, fruit, tea bags, coffee, tinned soup, cereal will be at the Summer Fair.
November 10, 2012