Charity push huge success

Faversham Rotary Club’s Carol Tour was an amazing success, with donations totally nearly £4,500 - a remarkable amount in these difficult times and a measure of the generosity of the people of the town.

The live tracking of the float via the website was a new development that was definitely well-used.

Father Christmas can be quite elusive so it was good to know where he was.

An excellent addition by Santa’s elves.

The float is greatly appreciated, it was looked forward to on the regular routes and warmly welcomed on the new estates. The praise for the float and the club was enormous, with one lady reduced to tears because the float and the music were so lovely. Rotarians were offered mince pies (more than once), shortbread and mulled wine by Faversham’s generous residents.

Many people say Christmas begins for them when the Carol tour starts.

Rotarians and their friends really enjoy taking the Carol Tour around the town.

It’s lovely to see the reactions of all the children - both young and old - and club members enjoy seeing the lights and decorations in gardens and houses.

In the weeks before Christmas, the club provided advent calendars for the food bank to distribute, mince pies were donated to the Umbrella Centre which is a designated warm hub, and sweet treats were given to Age UK and care homes. Faversham’s Young Carers went to the Arden Theatre’s production of Alice in Wonderland, a visit jointly arranged by Rotary and Imago. Thanks to the donations collected on the Carol Tour, Faversham Rotary will be able to continue its support of these and other local charities and groups. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who contributed so generously.

Scott Reeve

President, Faversham Rotary Club